Trespassing charges filed after YouTube video shows men inside Century III mall

SHELDON. YES, THOSE MEN THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT, THEY NOW FACE FELONY CHARGES FOR BREAKING INTO THE OLD CENTURY THREE MALL AND THEN POSTING IT ON YOUTUBE, AS YOU JUST MENTIONED. AND TODAY WE WERE THERE AS THE MEN TURNED THEMSELVES IN. CHRISTOPHER CROSS, BRODY LOANS AND DRAKE PIERCE, WESTWOOD HOMEWOOD. POLICE SAY THEY’RE THE LATEST VANDALS TO BREAK INTO THE OLD CENTURY THREE MALL. THEY POSTED THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT AND SOMEONE TIPPED OFF POLICE ON THEIR TIP LINE. THE DETECTIVES WENT TO PIERCE’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND TRACKED DOWN THE TRIO AND COLUMBUS, OHIO, WHERE THEY LIVE, EXPLAINING TO THEM THAT WE ALREADY HAD EXTRADITION PAPERS IF WE NEEDED TO USE THEM. HE EXPLAINED TO THEM IT WOULD BE A LOT EASIER IF THEY DROVE UP HERE AND JUST TURNED THEMSELVES IN. HE AGREED. HE CONTACTED THE TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WEST MIFFLIN POLICE SAY THEY HAVE TRACKED A LONG LIST OF TRESPASSING INCIDENTS INSIDE THE OLD MALL. ONE LED TO A SERIOUS INJURY TO A TRESPASSER. ANY VIDEO POPS UP, ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE’RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE IT FULLY. AND WE’RE WE’RE GOING TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ARREST EVERY TIME. YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC IS TO STAY OUT OF THAT. STAY OFF THAT PROPERTY. IT’S IT’S MARKED NO TRESPASSING RESIDENTS IN WEST MIFFLIN AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT THE PROPERTY. EVERYONE ONE THINKS IT SHOULD BE TORN DOWN. WHAT TO MAKE OF THE SPACE BRINGS VARYING OPINIONS. WE USE IT FOR A PARK OR CONDOMINIUMS OR FOR SOMETHING USEFUL. A PUBLIC TYPE PARK. A PARK. YOU KNOW, TO MAKE IT NICE WHERE THERE’S LIKE A WALKING TRAIL, THINGS LIKE THAT. WE NEED THAT OUT HERE. WE DON’T HAVE THE COMMUNITY EVEN MAYBE LIKE A NURSING HOME OR SOMETHING OR A CARE FACILITY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SOMETHING. BUT THAT ROAD UP THERE, SOMETHING’S GOT TO BE DONE. NOW, POLICE ALSO TELL US A FOURTH PERSON HAS ALSO BEEN CHARGED IN THE INCIDENT. BUT THE INITIAL THREE, THEY FACE A PRELIMINARY HEARING THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 20TH. FOR NO

A YouTube video has led to charges against four men — that video shows them exploring inside the old Century III Mall. The four are facing trespassing charges. Three of those men — Christopher Cross, Brody Lones, and Drake Pierce — are from Ohio. The group was filming a YouTube video inside the mall. They run into Kenlein Ogletree, of Clairton, who was also walking around the building with a woman. Police said Ogletree has since turned himself in. Police have not yet identified the woman he was with. The three Ohio men turned themselves in Wednesday. The video has more than 6,000 views and is 24 minutes long. It was posted to Lones' channel called "Exploring with Brody." Lones has other videos exploring abandoned buildings and places. The three friends say in the video it took two hours to break into the mall.It also shows them shooting a bow and arrow inside.The court paperwork says the police department has the approval to have the Ohio men extradited to Pennsylvania. Last week, West Mifflin council held a condemnation hearing to discuss the future of the mall property. Members said they want to see it torn down following a series of events, including three other trespassing incidents in May, a fire in April, and a teenager who fell through the roof.A vote on the future of the building will take place during the next council meeting in July."We've put out warnings. We've asked people not to go in there," said West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch. "We're at the point where we need to start making arrests." The police chief said possible penalties include jail time and hefty fines."There is nothing amazing about that mall," he said. "It is an abandoned, rotting mall that is full of mold, broken glass. It is a danger to your health."Residents in West Mifflin and surrounding communities have opinions about the property. Everyone thinks it should be torn down. What to make of the space brings varying opinions."Reuse it for a park, condominiums or something useful," sad Tom Tetraglia of Jefferson Hills. "Even a nursing home or a care facility," said Chuck Hicks, also of Jefferson Hills. "But that road up there, something has got to be done."

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. —

A YouTube video has led to charges against four men — that video shows them exploring inside the old Century III Mall.

The four are facing trespassing charges. Three of those men — Christopher Cross, Brody Lones, and Drake Pierce — are from Ohio.

The group was filming a YouTube video inside the mall. They run into Kenlein Ogletree, of Clairton, who was also walking around the building with a woman. Police said Ogletree has since turned himself in. Police have not yet identified the woman he was with. The three Ohio men turned themselves in Wednesday.

The video has more than 6,000 views and is 24 minutes long. It was posted to Lones' channel called "Exploring with Brody." Lones has other videos exploring abandoned buildings and places.

The three friends say in the video it took two hours to break into the mall.

It also shows them shooting a bow and arrow inside.

The court paperwork says the police department has the approval to have the Ohio men extradited to Pennsylvania.

Last week, West Mifflin council held a condemnation hearing to discuss the future of the mall property. Members said they want to see it torn down following a series of events, including three other trespassing incidents in May, a fire in April, and a teenager who fell through the roof.

A vote on the future of the building will take place during the next council meeting in July.

"We've put out warnings. We've asked people not to go in there," said West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch. "We're at the point where we need to start making arrests."

The police chief said possible penalties include jail time and hefty fines.

"There is nothing amazing about that mall," he said. "It is an abandoned, rotting mall that is full of mold, broken glass. It is a danger to your health."

Residents in West Mifflin and surrounding communities have opinions about the property.
Everyone thinks it should be torn down. What to make of the space brings varying opinions.

"Reuse it for a park, condominiums or something useful," sad Tom Tetraglia of Jefferson Hills.

"Even a nursing home or a care facility," said Chuck Hicks, also of Jefferson Hills. "But that road up there, something has got to be done."

Trespassing charges filed after YouTube video shows men inside Century III mall

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