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Armored Car Guard Shoots Partner, Takes off With $2.3M

Guard Shoots Partner, Takes off With $2.3MA man accused of shooting his partner and stealing $2.3 million from the armored vehicle they were driving on Tuesday is still at large.

“Investigators said an arrest warrant has been issued for Kenneth Konias Jr., 22, of Dravosburg,” WPXI.com reports, “Konias is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Michael Haines, 31, of East McKeesport, and with stealing $2.3 million from the Garda Cash Logistics vehicle.”

Police say they found Haines’ body in the back of the armored vehicle, which was idling under a bridge in Pittsburghs’ Strip District Tuesday afternoon.

Guard Shoots Partner, Takes off With $2.3MLeft to right: Kenneth Konias Jr. & Michael Haines

“This is a premeditated murder,” Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala said. “Our belief is that he planned to rob the company and if he had to kill the guard then he planned to do that. He shot the guy from close range in the back of the head to accomplish the robbery. That’s pretty cold.”

Konias allegedly called a friend after the murder and said, “I [expletive] up. My life is over,” according to the criminal complaint.

“What? Did you kill someone?” the friend asked.

“Yes,” Konias answered, adding that he had enough cash to live on for the rest of his life. Apparently, Konias also asked his friend about extradition laws in both Canada and Mexico.

“The criminal complaint also stated that Konias called his mother after the incident and stopped by his Dravosburg home,” WPXI.com reports, “leaving behind a coat with what detectives said appeared to be blood splatter on the front.”

It’s suspected that Konias is armed with two semi-automatic handguns as well as his murdered partners’ gun. He is driving a champagne colored Ford Explorer with Pennsylvania license plate number GZW-4572, according to WPXI.com.

“He’s armed and very dangerous,” Pittsburgh Police Cmdr. Thomas Stangrecki said.

Garda is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to Konias’ arrest. Police have also ruled out the possibility that Haines was in on the heist and that somehow things got out of hand.

“All the evidence indicates the deceased is a straight-arrow type of guy. Everything is black and white,” Zappala said.

Indeed, Haines was well liked and loved by his family.

“I want Mike to be remembered more as the genuine person that he is, and not just a man that was shot in the back of a car,” said longtime friend Darin DiNapoli, who began crying as he spoke, according to WTAE Pittsburgh.  “I think that’s the one thing … I don’t want him to just be a statistic, because he’s a very inspirational person and a really good friend.”

(Front page photo source: Andrew Russell, Tribune-Review)

Comments (44)

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  • DYNA
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:53pm

    And why be against the death penalty for this?

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:53pm

    Obama is doing much worse in the redistribution Dept. And obamacare will kill many thousands a year… So who’s the real criminal ?

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:04pm

    22 yrs old, huh? Think he didn’t feel “entitled”?

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:53pm

    This is a tragic story. Betrayal is the worst of crimes! And to shoot your colleague in the head like that is an unforgiveable crime of immense proportions!

    I hope this criminal, Kenneth Konias, is caught as soon as possible and when he is that he gets what he deserves. As he aptly stated, his life is over!

    RIP Michael Haines. My heartfelt condolences go out to Michael Haines’ family and friends.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • TheWholeTruth
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:29pm

    So much speculation….. All to simple minded….
    2.3 million. That seems like enough loot to attract PROfessional thieves. Why don’t you think this guy will be found at some point in the future with a small entry wound in the back of his head and his face missing, along with the 2.3 million dollars? Couldn’t this have been part of a master plan where this kid was set up by someone much more devious than a 22 year old minimum wage worker? To make it LOOK like he’d killed his partner, made a couple of phone calls that would be traced, ask a couple of “dumb kid” questions about extradition.
    It is possible that this kid is as innocent as his murdered partner, but was used as a pawn in a much more complex theft.
    If he is ever found, he won‘t be alive and the money won’t EVER be found.

    Yeah, another conspiracy theory, but one worth considering…….

    Report Post »  
    • SilentReader
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:59pm

      Didn’t you read the whole story thewholetruth?

      “Konias allegedly called a friend after the murder and said, “I [expletive] up. My life is over,” according to the criminal complaint.

      “What? Did you kill someone?” the friend asked.

      “Yes,” Konias answered, adding that he had enough cash to live on for the rest of his life. Apparently, Konias also asked his friend about extradition laws in both Canada and Mexico.”

      So, was his friend lying?

      Report Post » SilentReader  
    • TheWholeTruth
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:17pm

      @Silentreader

      Yes, I absolutely read the WHOLE post. Didn’t you read my WHOLE comment? Is it too hard for simple minds to think out of the “sheeple-box?”

      Wouldn’t this be a perfect way to throw off authorities by making a 2.3 million dollar murder/theft look like some 22 year old video game playing knucklehead’s unplanned robbery? Come on, it can‘t be that hard to imagine something much more sinister than a 22 year old’s unplanned robbery.

      It’s all too simple, all too convenient. but, maybe it was a 22 year old’s wet dream of getting rich quick. But it doesn’t hurt to look deeper into things other than just what lays on the surface. A problem MOST people here seem to have. The article says it, so it must be true, right?
      No wonder our country is going down in flames…..

      WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • VotersOfNY
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Give him a break. He probably had a tough childhood.

      Report Post » VotersOfNY  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:21pm

    Sad!

    Report Post »  
  • netmail
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:19pm

    Search, recover, destroy….THAT is how it should go down. Hope it does.

    Report Post »  
  • GUT_CHECK
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:47pm

    a weather baloon should do the trick.
    up up and away, on his own mission to the stratosphere

    if he should come back alive, theres always more heium

    Report Post »  
  • hi
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:32pm

    That is horrendous!!! Couldn’t he just have shot his arm or something? Sick. Sick.Sick.

    Report Post » hi  
  • drago
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:21pm

    My question is, were they both intending to steal the money, and one killed the other so as not to share, or to keep the other from ratting him out?This could play out in so many ways….

    Report Post »  
    • father_of_10
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 2:35pm

      The article answers that question. Haines was straight arrow. He was not part of the theft.

      Report Post » father_of_10  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:49pm

    In a couple of years hyperinflation will hit and his 2.3 million will be worthless…as wothless as he is.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • kevinthewriter
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:39pm

    I wonder who will find him first…the law or another criminal. I feel for the families of both men. Their lives are forever changed because of greed.

    Report Post »  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:33pm

    Hope he goes to Mexico and saves us the expense of a trial – they will just shoot him and take the money. Prayers are with the friends and family of Michael Haines.

    Report Post »  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:53pm

      Hate to say it, but I agree with you 100%. It would be no more than he deserves.

      Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Why do stupid people do stupid things – hummm
    I am sure he has a well thought out plan %$@#%%^

    Report Post »  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:21pm

    What is the tax rate on rewards? Is it the same as gambling winnings, or as income, or is it considered a gift with 10,000 being tax free?

    Report Post » Cavallo  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:13pm

    Ignorance, no respect for anything or anyone, no plan for a real life, instant gratification, these are the things we reap as a society without a moral compass. God help us, may MH rest in peace, bless his family.

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:13pm

    Meanwhile, in other news….
    Don’t they have GPS attached to these trucks? If not, why not?

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Listen_then_think
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:40pm

      He is not in the truck. That was found with the body in it. Read further in the article.

      Report Post »  
    • forthepeople
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:57pm

      ANONYMOUS T. ( is ? ) IRRELEVANT . You read the first few lines and react , please turn down jury duty if asked .
      Yeah the guy is running around town, trying to drive an armored truck to mexico , no one would every notice that ?

      Report Post » forthepeople  
    • WeekendAtBernankes
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:18pm

      You’re not allowed to turn down jury if selected.

      Report Post » WeekendAtBernankes  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:12pm

    Real life is not like a movie where the robber goes to an exotic paradise to live on his ill gotten gains. This little punk will be found, will be prosecuted and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

    Report Post »  
    • hi
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 1:31pm

      ..then get out on parole after a few weeks.

      Report Post » hi  
  • love the kids
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:04pm

    I bet the IRS is already looking for him, you know what the taxes are on that? He is now a 1%er

    Report Post »  
  • KeithOlberdink
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Wow, what a piece of crap. I hope they catch this dirtbag and roast him in the express line for old sparky.

    Report Post » KeithOlberdink  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:01pm

    It was going to be rather obvious who stole the money…so killing the man rather than tying him up somewhere and getting the same head start, was pointless. So will be the run he makes. If you see him, gun him down as he’ll do the same to you.

    Report Post »  
  • Oneirishman
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:00pm

    How sad. I hope the hunt this pig down with Extreme Predudice!

    Report Post »  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:00pm

    Messed up (understatement) enough that he would murder. But he didn’t even have a plan for after the murder/robery! He’s asking a friend over the phone about extradition treaties? The guy is seriously in the hurt locker as regards mental situation (not enough to avoid the death penalty, IMHO). Anyway — how did he get to be employed as an armored car guard?

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:25pm

      He probably had a bumper sticker that said “OBAMA-2008″. No background check needed.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 12:00pm

    .
    Obama did this…..

    This kid thought this was the only way he could get rich. Obama says all the time how greedy these people are. And beating the drum of the OWSer’s and the 99%……

    Konias allegedly called a friend after the murder and said, “I [expletive] up. My life is over,”

    Konias, Unless you die in a Hail of Bullets during a Police standoff or shoot yourself in the head. Your gonna keep on living and be a burden on the Taxpayer. One can only hope your new cell mate thinks you have a pretty mouth and a cute behind……….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • VanceUppercut
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 3:33pm

      @SpankDaMonkey
      I knew I wouldn’t have to search through more than a handful of comments before I found one like yours. There‘s something I’ve always wondered, and I think you can answer it for me: Are stupid people aware that they are stupid?

      Report Post »  
    • Patriot of My America
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:14pm

      That new cell mate should be a very large man if ya get the drift. lol

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on March 1, 2012 at 4:27pm

      .
      @VanceUppercut
      You wrote “There‘s something I’ve always wondered, and I think you can answer it for me: Are stupid people aware that they are stupid?”

      I’m sorry your not aware of your situation. The real problem is your to stupid to understand the answer. Sorry buddy back to Mama’s basement…..

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • CatB
    Posted on March 1, 2012 at 11:58am

    Wow .. that is low .. hope they catch the jerk before anyone else gets hurt.

    Report Post »  
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