Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Buyer & Seller Beware: Craigslist Robberies in Charlotte

In the past several months, I have noticed an increase of local news reports showing innocent people getting robbed while meeting someone to sell or buy something via Craigslist and other online marketplaces. 

Since CMPD 'under reports' crime stats these days, we are safe to assume these type of robberies & assaults are occurring more often than we hear about... so, please be careful, trust your instincts and meet people in public places with lots of people around to be on the safe side...

On April 23, 2011, CMPD investigated two separate armed robberies in the University area of Charlotte involving people meeting 'prospective buyers' from Craigslist.  The first robbery occurred around 10:50pm in an apartment complex on Rebecca Bailey Drive.  The 21-year old male victim told police he met with the suspect to sell his PlayStation 3 when he was robbed of the game console at gunpoint.  The second robbery on Saturday occurred at 12:40am on University Village Boulevard.  The 28-year old victim advised police he had arranged to meet someone via Craigslist to sell his PlayStation 3 when he was also robbed at gunpoint.

On March 23, 2011, a victim selling a used iPad when he was lured to the parking lot of Ivey Meadows Drive by a buyer "offering to three times the face value" of the item.  The victim took the bait and when they met to exchange the iPad, two men assaulted and robbed the victim.  Two other similar incidents occurred on Caroway Street and Windy Creek Drive.

On February 9, 2011, a couple was robbed at gunpoint while trying to buy cell phone they saw listed for sale on Craigslist.  The 27-year old man and 23-year old woman met the suspect on Highland Park Drive and were robbed at gunpoint for $400.

Police say the suspects give specific directions to meet the victims, sometimes offer to pay more than your offering price and often lure the victims to a dark cul-de-sac or underneath a staircase at an apartment complex.  If you have any information about these crimes, please call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.