Beware of person-to-person sales arranged online, D.C. police say
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Version 0 of 1. A man who responded to an online message offering a motorcycle for sale was robbed at knifepoint March 6 on a Southeast Washington street, D.C. police said. Police said the holdup was one of at least 45 robberies involving “mobile marketplaces,” in which victims try to buy or sell items advertised in messages sent to smartphones. In the March 6 incident, police said, when the would-be buyer arrived in the 1200 block of Eaton Road SE, the robbers grabbed him, showed a knife, and broke a window of his vehicle to get cash. Then they fled. After a search, police said, they arrested Brian Glover, 22, of Southeast, on an armed-robbery charge. They said they were continuing to investigate. Since May 20, 2015, police said, they have made arrests in 20 mobile marketplace robberies. Police said the rate of arrests in such cases has increased, but they urged people to be wary in arranging person-to-person transactions based on online messages. Among their suggestions: Never meet anyone at night, alone or in private. Do not provide identifying information, and do not bring cash. |