Court Moves Hearing for Three Arrested in Perrysville Carjacking

Three Pittsburgh-area individuals accused of using a firearm in May to steal an occupied car in Perrysville will be formally arraigned Aug. 26. 

According to the criminal complaint, a 30-year-old man called police at about 12:30 p.m. May 17 to report that three assailants pointed handguns at him and shouted, “Don’t move or I’ll shoot you” as he was entering his black 2006 Toyota Avalon. The incident occurred in front of 824 Perry Highway in Ross, across the street from the cemetery at Hiland Presbyterian Church.

Pittsburgh Police spotted the vehicle around 1:17 p.m. that same day along Portman Street near Perry Traditional Academy. Police tailed the car. Three suspects ditched the car on the side of the road and fled into Riverview Park, according to the criminal complaint.

Ronika Carter, 22, of Hazelwood and Saahir Allen-Major, 20, of Homestead were arrested at that time and detained. Niko Dawson, 22, of McKeesport was arrested May 24 around 7 p.m. at a relative’s West Mifflin apartment.

All three were charged with prohibited possession of a firearm, a second-degree felony, and carrying a firearm without a license, a third-degree felony. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison.

The three remain in custody in Allegheny County Jail. Bail was set at $25,000 for Dawson and Allen-Major and $50,000 for Carter. 

A preliminary hearing scheduled to be heard July 13 before Judge Richard G. Opiela in West View court was canceled. The case has been transferred to Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, where formal arraignments are scheduled for Aug. 26.