Vancouver police urge warning after string of violent Fb Market thefts

After a string of robberies connected to Fb Market — together with one at gunpoint — Vancouver police are caution the general public of the dangers of assembly strangers in-person to shop for and promote used items indexed on the net.

“We have had, for the reason that weekend, 3 very regarding incidents,” stated Sgt. Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Division (VPD) in an interview.

“Involving individuals who’ve been victimized when assembly up with a stranger to promote one thing that they have got posted on-line.”

Of the 3 robberies reported to police in the previous few days, Addison says two took place within the Champlain Heights neighourhood in southeast Vancouver.

In keeping with police, a 21-year-old guy, who met a purchaser named Matthew to promote a used telephone, was once assaulted with a weapon and undergo spray at round 7 p.m. Saturday night time. 

Addison says he was once robbed of his telephone, hit within the head and suffered accidents that required scientific consideration.

Round midday on Sunday, police say a person in his 30s agreed to fulfill anyone to promote two used iPhones, however a teenage suspect grabbed each the telephones and ran away. On this case, the sufferer wasn’t harm.

Armed theft in a espresso store

At round 8 p.m. on Monday, a person assembly anyone to promote them a clothier watch had a gun pulled on him in a espresso store, within the Kerrisdale neighbourhood in southwestern Vancouver, Addison says.

The suspect is described as a bearded guy in his 30s who walked into the cafe, pointed his weapon and stole the watch, earlier than leaping in a getaway automobile ready outdoor.

“Those sufferers perceived to have completed the entirety proper,” stated Addison. “They organized a gathering in a public, populated location and so they nonetheless fell sufferer.”

Addison says all 3 dealers had been focused over Fb Market — the social community’s promoting platform, for the entirety from used clothes and furnishings, to mountain climbing tools and electronics — however the caution extends to customers of different internet sites, together with Craigslist and Kijiji.

“We want to let other folks know that this is occurring so they are able to take affordable steps for their very own protection,” he stated.

Addison says police have no idea whether or not the incidents are attached however they don’t seem to be ruling out “an identical avid gamers” running in combination to focus on other folks promoting items on-line, because the robberies happened inside of a couple of days.

The VPD is suggesting somebody arranging a join up to shop for or promote used items to make the alternate outdoor its headquarters at 2120 Cambie St., which it says are smartly lit and monitored via surveillance cameras.

“We wish other folks to understand that it is right here, and they are greater than welcome to make use of it,” stated Addison.

Addison invitations somebody who has been a sufferer of a an identical crime to document it via contacting the police non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.

He additionally encourages somebody who sees this sort of theft going down to in an instant name 911.