ST. PETERSBURG, Fla (WFLA) — Social media sales may get you a better deal, but the process of buying or selling your items may not always be safe. St. Petersburg police just arrested a man they said robbed someone at gunpoint during a meet up for a sale.
Video from a viewer shows an arrest being made on 34th Street South in St. Pete Wednesday. Police said they were looking for 18-year-old Zahmarcus Mitchell in connection with an armed robbery.
“When he was arrested, he was actually found to be wearing the items that he stole from our victim,” said Ashley Limardo with St. Pete Police.
According to a report, Mitchell and the victim were speaking over social media. They planned to meet on September 25 near 2400 11th St. S in St. Pete to sell clothes.
“Our suspect approached the victim and produced a firearm and stole all the items that the victim was going to potentially sell to him,” said Limardo.
Nearly two weeks later, police tracked Mitchell Down. Consumer advocates said there are ways to make buys and sales safely.
“There are technical solutions and mechanical solutions. But at the end of the day, if it seems too good to be true, there’s a solid chance that it really is,” said Doc Compton, a consumer advocate.
Tips the advocate and police give include:
Meet in well lit, public places. Consider meeting at police stations. Some sheriff’s offices have spaces where you can make exchanges.
Never go to a meet up alone.
Keep communication with the buyer/seller on apps. Don’t give out personal information.
Consider companies who offer secure lock boxes for no-contact exchanges.
“Not meeting them in person is definitely going to be a safer choice. And if you can have it shipped to a PO box rather than a house, that is infinitely better,” said Compton.
Police say they are still looking for another suspect in this case. If anyone has any information, contact St. Pete police.
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