Hartford Police Warn Residents of Social Media Transaction Dangers

HARTFORD, CT — Hartford police have issued a lengthy statement concerning a recent rash of social media-related robberies and carjackings in the city.

Over the course of the past several months, the Hartford Police Department Major Crimes Division has been investigating several social media-related armed robberies and carjackings within the city. The victims in these cases were lured to a specific location under a ruse of making a transaction they agreed upon stemming from the online auction site, “OfferUp.”

This is new, as the origin of our well known “Safe Lot” program stemmed from incidents related to Craigslist Robberies. We are now seeing several online open market sites that have the potential for similar victimization. Of the eight cases being investigated, none of the victims were Hartford residents. Some victims came from as far as Lawrence and Springfield, Mass., as well as Middletown, East Hartford and New Britain.

Several of the victims were burgled of their personal effects to include phones, wallets, money, and purses. In three instances, vehicles were stolen during the robberies. Several of the victims were assaulted during the course of the robbery, and the suspects brandished knives and/or guns in all instances. During one particular robbery, an infant was present while his mother and grandmother were robbed at gunpoint.

The Hartford Police would like to remind the public that the front parking lot to the Public Safety Complex at 253 High Street can be utilized as a safe meeting location for internet transactions.

Of the eight cases currently being investigated by HPD MCD, four suspects have been identified and arrested, two are adults, and two are juveniles. There are currently two other outstanding suspects with active felony warrants. A third outstanding suspect has been identified and one warrant is pending. There are several more suspects being sought, and more arrests regarding these robberies are likely.

• On Oct. 26, 2016, a West Springfield, Mass. resident agreed to meet an online seller in the north end of Hartford. He was ultimately robbed at gunpoint of his property and cash by two young males. Neither have been identified at this time, and the case is under investigation.
• On Dec. 6, 2016, a victim from Lawrence, Mass. responded to an “OfferUp” add regarding the sale of a Playstation4 and Apple iWatch. The victim was lured into an apartment on Clark Street, at which time he was robbed at knifepoint. The victim was able to identify his assailants during the course of the investigation. Hakeem Ferguson, 21, and Ezekiel Myrie, 19, were subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery after warrants were drafted and signed by a judge.
• On Jan. 13, a victim from Middletown went onto the website “OfferUp” and located an Apple iPad that she was looking to purchase. The victim and the seller agreed on a price and met at a recreation center lot in the City of Hartford. The victim arrived with her mother and infant son. They were all robbed at gunpoint by two young males. The suspects fled with their purses which contained $200, credit cards, and other personal belongings, as well as their cellular phones. This investigation is ongoing and at this time no arrests have been made.
• On Jan. 20, a juvenile suspect posted a PlayStation 4 console and Apple iWatch for sale on the website “Offer Up.” The victim from Springfield, Mass. responded to the ad in an attempt to purchase the items. The victim met up with the suspect to complete the transaction, at which point he was carjacked and robbed at gunpoint by two young males. During the robbery, the victim was assaulted by both suspects. During the course of the investigation, the juvenile suspect was identified and arrested, and charged with first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, carjacking, second-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit second-degree larceny, third-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny and second-degree threatening. The second suspect has not been identified at this time.
• On Jan. 21, a Springfield, Mass. resident was lured to the north end of Hartford under the ruse of an internet sale transaction for a Playstation4 and iPhone. Two young males robbed, assaulted, and ultimately carjacked the victim at gunpoint. The victim identified one of his assailants during the course of the investigation. The arrest will be forthcoming via warrant. The second suspect has not yet been identified.
• On Feb. 2, an East Hartford resident came to the city to complete an online sales transaction for an iPhone6. She met with two young juveniles who ultimately robbed and carjacked her at gunpoint. One of the suspects was identified during the course of the investigation, and the warrant is currently active. The vehicle was recovered a short time later.
• On Feb. 11, a juvenile suspect posted a Play Station 4 console for sale on the Web Site “Offer Up.” The victim from New Britain responded to the ad in an attempt to purchase the item. When the victim arrived at the agreed upon meet location, he was robbed at gunpoint and knifepoint by two young males. During the course of the investigation, the victim was able to identify both suspects. One of the juveniles was arrested, the second is still outstanding.

General Social Media transaction safety tips:

1. Insist to meet at a very public place such as the Hartford Police Department.
2. Don't go alone.
3. Trust your instincts.
4. Do not meet in a secluded area.
5. Do not invite strangers into your home, and do not go to theirs.
6. Be cautious when buying/selling high value items.
7. Perform the transaction during daylight hours.
8. If it sounds too good to be true, it normally is.
9. Tell a friend or family member about your intentions.
10. Meet in locations where video surveillance is likely (or bring your own).

Story by Hartford Police Department

Photo credit: Tim Jensen