Heads Up for Craigs List Buyers

[usbusin]

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/07/06/police-issue-warning-after-several-craigslist-users-robbed/


Police Issue Warning After Several Craigslist Users Robbed

CARROLLTON (CBSDFW.COM) – Police in North Texas have a warning for anyone who buys things from internet sites like Craigslist. The alert comes after several people were robbed.

Police in Carrollton are searching for the armed suspects who robbed at least four people during separate Craigslist purchase meetings.

"When they arrange to meet with the suspects, the suspects will either use some type of deception or they'll produce a weapon and actually rob the victim of the cash they're carrying," explained Carrollton Police Department Public Information Officer John Stovall.

As police began to investigate the robberies they realized the crimes had several things in common, including the fact that the victims agreed to meet someone in an isolated business area. "What makes them unique is that they're [meeting locations] close to major roadways," said Stovall. "It allows the suspects to have easy access away from the location after they commit the offense."

In addition to finding those responsible for the crime Carrollton police are also trying to determine if the robberies are linked. "We have had varying descriptions of the suspects, so that would lead us to believe that either they [the crimes] are not connected or it's either a larger group that are working together with multiple suspects in them," said Stovall.

Police advise that whenever you meet a stranger to make sure it's in a populated area. Stovall advised, " We want people to use good judgment when meeting with someone they don't know, especially if they're gonna be carrying a large amount of cash with them."

[Len Silva]

I would suggest meeting at the police department parking lot.

[Runcutter]

Interesting (notice my signature line -- location!!!).  And I don't normally watch Channel 11 news.  Police Department parking lot, or even the front lobby would be a good meeting place, definitely not a dark alley.  Heck, there are even some people I know that I'd think twice about -- isolated area indeed!

It is a great reminder - be careful out there.

Arthur

[John316]

Good reminder.

Whenever larger amounts of cash are involved (over 200), I usually go with another guy. I am a big guy (not fat, at all, but I would fit), and one of the guys I take with me look strong too. We are well taken care of in other areas ( ), and we often try to meet in a populated place. I have bought and sold cars in Walmart parking lots (just make sure that you don't display your cash, because it could look like any other kind of deal too ).

I did kinda break my own rules though, when two of us went downtown last Saturday. We had over 2K in cash with us, to make a purchase. Must say I wasn't comfortable, but we were being careful.

Thanks again.

John

[Chopper Scott]

I would suggest meeting at the police department parking lot.

That's where I'd go with a bag full of cash!!!