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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Nearly two weeks later, police tracked Mitchell Down. Consumer advocates said there are ways to make buys and sales safely.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Tips the advocate and police give include:<\/p>\n
Meet in well lit, public places. Consider meeting at police stations. Some sheriff’s offices have spaces where you can make exchanges.<\/p>\n
Never go to a meet up alone.<\/p>\n
Keep communication with the buyer\/seller on apps. Don’t give out personal information.<\/p>\n
Consider companies who offer secure lock boxes for no-contact exchanges.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Police say they are still looking for another suspect in this case. If anyone has any information, contact St. Pete police.<\/p>\n