By Debra Erdley
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review
PENN HILLS, Pa. — A Penn Hills volunteer firefighter was attacked and robbed by a group of youths Friday night as he was leaving a cookout at the Thad Stevens Volunteer Fire Department on Robinson Boulevard, department officials said.
Department Capt. Michael Stadelman said T.J. Howe, a volunteer in his early 20s, had left the station to walk home shortly after 11 p.m. when a crowd of about a dozen youths jumped him, knocked him down and robbed him of his backpack, cell phones, pager and keys.
Stadelman said the youths ran, dropping the backpack and pager when firefighters ran out to see what was happening.
He said Howe suffered cuts and bruises but declined treatment.
The incident was the second one that evening. Several hours earlier, while the firefighters were cooking in the yard, a group of youths began yelling insults and hurling rocks from the hill above.
Stadelman said police were notified of both incidents. Police could not be reached for comment Saturday.
“It’s odd to have those kind of things happen. Usually if we’re standing outside by the door after a fire, people stop by and thank you,” Stadelman said.
Department officials had the locks on the station changed yesterday morning because Howe’s station key was among the keys stolen in the assault, Stadelman said.
He said the department is having a security system installed at the station, following a recent break-in during which a TV and some coin boxes were stolen from the lounge.
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