Category: News || By Submitted Report

A Pittsburgh man accused of a string of armed robberies --- including one at a hotel in the Waterfront --- has been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison.

Jay G. Mathis, 46, whose last listed address was on Remington Drive, East Hills, was sentenced Friday by U.S. Chief District Judge Gary L. Lancaster.

According to U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton, Mathis began a six-month-long crime spree on Jan. 8, 2009 by robbing a National City Bank office on Walnut Street in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood. It ended with the robbery of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in West Homestead on June 19, 2009.

Mathis, who prosecutors said was a former Homestead resident, was on parole at the time following a 10-year prison sentence for a previous bank robbery conviction, prosecutors said.

During the robbery of the Marriott, Mathis pointed a small black revolver at the desk clerk and took about $221 cash, prosecutors said. After leaving the hotel, Mathis led police on a high-speed car chase and shot at a Homestead police officer, forcing him off the road.

Prosecutors said Mathis also shot at a police officer during the Shadyside incident.

Mathis was suspected of committing seven other robberies at various banks, a Subway restaurant and a McDonald's restaurant.

In two separate federal trials beginning in July 2012, Mathis was convicted of attempted bank robbery; attempted armed bank robbery; possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon; using, carrying and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; and one count of robbery under the Hobbs Act.

Prosecutors said Mathis' extensive criminal history began as a juvenile. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara K. Swartz prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh police and Allegheny County police assisted in the capture and prosecution, Hickton said.

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