Two men have been arrested after Fort Worth police say a series of Facebook Marketplace transactions turned into armed robberies.
Officers responded to multiple reported robberies tied to online marketplace deals Saturday, August 15, according to the Fort Worth Police Department.
Investigators used a coordinated effort involving Central Patrol, the Real Time Crime Center, the Directed Response Unit, FLOCK technology and robbery detectives to identify a silver Honda sedan that matched the description of a vehicle connected to the robberies.
Later that day, officers detained 21-year-old Jeremiah Ross after police said they saw him running with a firearm. A second suspect, 20-year-old Davontate Ashley, was detained during a high-risk traffic stop, according to police.
Investigators determined Ross and Ashley were involved in the robberies, authorities said. Stolen property was recovered during the execution of a search warrant.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and 1 count of evading arrest. Ross was also charged with resisting arrest, failure to identify/fugitive from justice, and escape from custody.
Police also released video showing portions of the pursuit and arrests. The footage includes officers apprehending the suspects and finding a firearm inside a suspect’s backpack.
Police Offer Marketplace Safety Tips
Fort Worth police are reminding residents to take precautions when buying or selling items through online marketplaces.
Police recommend meeting in a public location during daylight hours and bringing another person along when possible. Residents are also encouraged to use designated safe exchange locations when they are available.
If something about a transaction or meeting does not feel right, police advise leaving the area and contacting authorities.
“Trust your instincts and remember, no sale is worth putting yourself in danger,” police said.