35-year old William Gregory has been arrested and charged with ethical intimidation and burglary after breaking into a home, pretending to be an ICE agent, and attempting to steal a PlayStation and other electronic accessories, according to police and Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. The man was fought off by a 17-year old boy.
Per a criminal complaint, Gregory entered a Beltzhoover, Pennsylvania home (a neighborhood in southern Pittsburgh) through a kitchen window while claiming to be an ICE agent. Gregory reportedly demanded to see documentation regarding the legal status of the home’s residents. Gregory held the juvenile at knifepoint while he attempted to steal a PlayStation console, PlayStation controllers, and the boy’s cell phone. Police report that the boy eventually punched Gregory in the face, knocking him unconscious until officers could arrive.
As reported by Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 (via WTAE), a neighbor of the family, Crystal Calloway, said: “I believe that is a Hispanic home, you know, and our neighborhood is very diverse.” She also expressed concern regarding someone impersonating an ICE agent while trying to invade a community. It’s worth noting that, contextually, there are still ICE protests going on in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the death of Renee Good. It was just two weeks ago, on January 7, when the 37-year-old American citizen was shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in her neighborhood.
Calloway also praised the actions of her neighbor’s son and his bravery, saying, “It’s a great thing that the young man’s adrenaline kicked in, and he went into action to defend his family. Thank goodness for that.” William Gregory has been charged with ethnic intimidation and burglary, and he currently remains in Allegheny County Jail. Police report that Gregory was previously wanted for another burglary, as well as possession of a firearm, when this attempted burglary occurred.
