Century III Mall Extremely Dangerous, Officials Warn

PITTSBURGH, PA — A YouTube video resulted in three men being charged with trespassing in the abandoned Century III Mall in West Mifflin.

According to police, Christopher Cross, 27, Brody Lones, 23, and Drake Pierce, 22 illegally entered the mall, filmed a video and shared it online. The trio are from Ohio.

Another alleged trespasser, Kenlein Ogletree, 21, of Clairton, also was charged.

"The former Century III Mall property is extremely dangerous. Officers have been injured," a West Mifflin police department social media post stated.

"It also is private property and posted against trespassing. Any individuals located on or identified as having trespassed on this property will be prosecuted."

West Mifflin officials held a condemnation hearing on the mall last week, less than two weeks after a June 2 incident in which a teen was severely injured after falling through the roof of the building while trespassing. Borough council is expected to take a potential condemnation vote next month.

Once one of the largest malls in the world, Century III's interior closed in 2019. J.C. Penney, which had an exterior entrance, was the mall's last remaining store; it went out of business in 2020.

Since then, squatters and drug activity have been reported in the mall's derelict ruins. Authorities repeatedly have advised people against breaking into the graffiti-strewn building, which has mold, pooled water and no power.