Officer charged with lying to FBI

A Pittsburgh police officer has been charged in federal court with lying to the FBI last summer in connection with a January bank robbery in Crafton.

Prosecutors charged Officer Antoine Cain with two counts of lying to agents in July in regard to Brent Richards, 32, who was indicted by a grand jury earlier this week on counts of robbing the Citizens Bank on Foster Avenue on Jan. 8.

Chris Togneri, a spokesman for Pittsburgh police, said Officer Cain has reached a plea deal with prosecutors in regard to the case and has been suspended from his duties.

The U.S. attorney’s office declined comment.

According to a federal complaint, Officer Cain lied to agents on July 27 when he denied any knowledge that Mr. Richards had committed the robbery when prosecutors said Richards had told him he had done it.

In a second count, prosecutors said Officer Cain told the same lie on July 31. The complaint against him was filed Tuesday and unsealed Thursday.

Mr. Richards was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday under seal along with an alleged accomplice, Melissa Kane, 47, who is charged with accessory after the fact. That case was also unsealed Thursday. According to the indictment, Mr. Richards brandished a gun during the robbery and took $10,003.

Ms. Kane is accused of trying to protect him from being caught. She is due in court Friday for an initial appearance and will have a detention hearing next week. Mr. Richards is in custody.

Mr. Togneri said Officer Cain was suspended without pay Thursday, after the case against him was unsealed.

“The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police sets the highest standards for all who earn the right to wear the uniform and badge, from Police Chief Scott Schubert down to the newest recruit at the academy,” Mr. Togneri said in a statement. “Such behavior will not be tolerated.”