A woman was allegedly robbed of more than $3,000 at gunpoint last week by a man in Laurelton posing as a legitimate car seller on Facebook Market place. Pictured is the suspect wanted for questioning Photo: NYPD)
May 3, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A woman who was attempting to buy a car on Facebook was robbed of more than $3,000 by a bogus seller at gunpoint when they met up in Laurelton last month, police said.
The victim, 20, was looking to purchase a 2012 Honda Accord from the man and met with him on April 23 in front of a house at 144-30 183 St. They had arranged to meet after the woman came across an advertisement for the vehicle on Facebook’s buy and sell platform, according to police.
As the meeting unfolded at around 1 p.m., the suspect attempted to lure the woman into the back yard of the home by pretending the car was situated there, police said.
When the victim hesitated, the suspect pulled out a gun and demanded her money and cellphone, police said
The woman complied and handed over $3,100 cash along with her iPhone 13 that is valued at $900, according to the NYPD.
The suspect then fled the scene in a black-colored 4-door sedan, operated by a getaway driver.
Police said no shots were fired and the victim was not injured.
The NYPD released images of the man wanted for questioning Monday.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.
