Three juveniles have been arrested after allegedly robbing people who thought they were meeting to buy an iPhone. A 16-year-old and a 13-year-old were also charged with firearms charges.
According to a press release posted on the Douglas Police Department’s Facebook page, last month, the Douglas Police Department received several reports of individuals being robbed. The suspect in these cases would list an iPhone for sale on the Facebook Marketplace. When contacted by a potential victim, the suspect would give a location for the transaction to take place.
During the transaction the victim would present money to pay for the phone. The suspect would snatch the money and flee the area. During the final robbery, the victim believed the suspect had a firearm. Officers from the Douglas Police Department, posing as potential victims, contacted the suspect and arranged a meeting to purchase the iPhone. The operation was a success and led to the arrest of three juvenile offenders. Initially a 16-year-old offender was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and felony possession of marijuana, a 13-year-old was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, and a 15-year-old was charged for obstruction when he failed to stop fled from the officers.
The investigation into these robberies continued and the 16-year-old offender has now been additionally charged with the reported robberies. As a result of the investigation officers believe that there were other unreported robberies of this type committed. If you or anyone you know has been a victim, of this or any other type crime, please contact the Douglas Police Department.
Anyone with any additional information in these cases are asked to contact the Douglas Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 912-384-2222, The Tips Line at 912-260-3600, or Investigator J. Raulerson at jraulerson@cityofdouglas.com