Craigslist Transaction in Enfield Turns into Larceny

ENFIELD, CT — An agreed-upon transaction involving a MacBook turned out to involve a great deal more than that - namely, counterfeit bills and a larceny charge against the potential buyer.

Cyle Murphy, 22, of 14 Ridge Rd., Enfield, was charged with fifth-degree larceny and first-degree forgery in connection with the unusual case, which took place early Thursday morning.

According to a police report, Murphy had agreed to purchase a MacBook Air Gold being advertised on Craigslist. The seller asked Murphy to meet him in the Enfield Police Department parking lot, a standard safety procedure becoming commonplace in many communities.

Instead, Murphy suggested conducting the transaction in the parking lot of the Mobil Mart on Elm Street, offering the seller an extra $100 if they were to meet there, Police Chief Carl Sferrazza said.

During the meetup, which took place around 1 a.m., Murphy allegedly handed the seller eight $100 bills and took possession of the laptop. The seller suspected the bills looked fake, and asked Murphy if he minded waiting while the seller had the bills checked out inside the store, Sferrazza said.

When the seller entered the store, Murphy allegedly took the machine and left the parking lot. He was found at his home shortly thereafter, in possession of the MacBook, Sferrazza said.

Bond for Murphy was set at $5,000.

Photo courtesy of Enfield Police Department