Victim Gets Robbed After Using App, Deputies use Same App to Find Robbers, Who Return to Scene of the Crime and are Arrested
On Monday, June 25th, 2018, at approximately 5:30 PM, a Santa Clarita man met with another male in order to sell his old cellphone. The two connected with each other on a social media application/website where items are sold/bought/and traded. Eventually they agreed to meet in a public place in Canyon Country.
Then things went wrong. The male “buyer” pushed the victim and ran past a security gate with the victim’s cellphone. As the victim gave chase, another male quickly slammed the gate shut blocking the victim’s path. The two males suspected of setting up this robbery then fled with the victim’s cell phone.
The following day, the victim came to Santa Clarita Station after seeing his cellphone for sale on the same app that he was originally trying to sell it before he was robbed! The victim agreed to meet at the same place he was victimized earlier, except this time he would have Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies with him. With the victim’s detailed description of the first suspect, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team (SAT Team) and assisting detectives were able to locate and arrest the suspect as he arrived to sell the stolen phone on June 28th, 2018. They learned the male was a juvenile and the victim’s cellphone was recovered. The other male subject was later arrested and this case is an on-going investigation.
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station personnel did a great job of locating these subjects, but what can you do to avoid being victimized?
Outside of many local LASD stations, there are clearly marked Safe Exchange Zones set up for online buyers/sellers to meet. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station’s has two such Zones, which are painted green, have signs posted designating them as a “Safe Exchange Location” and are under video surveillance. Most criminals do not want to commit crimes at the police department, as they know victims are just steps away from help. Call your local station to see if they have one.
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
Recruitment LASD: http://www.careers.lasd.org
Follow LASD HQ via Text and Email: http://www.Nixle.com
https://nixle.com/lasd---los-angeles-county-sheriffs-dept-information-bureau-sib/
Twitter: @LASDHQ http://twitter.com/LASDHQ
Twitter: @LASDtalk https://twitter.com/LASDTalk
Twitter: @LASDvideos https://twitter.com/LASDvideos
Twitter: @LASDespanol https://twitter.com/LASDespanol
Facebook LASD HQ http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment
Instagram LASD Photos: http://instagram.com/LASDHQ
Pinterest LASD Photos: http://pinterest.com/lacountysheriff/
YouTube LASD Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/LACountySheriff/videos?view=0
SNAP LA County: Specific Needs Disaster Voluntary
Alert LA County: Telephone emergency mass notification system
http://www.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla
Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept Information Bureau (SIB)" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google Play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
