DC Man Arrested In 'Offer-Up' Armed Robbery: Police

WASHINGTON, DC — DC Police report they have arrested an 18-year-old Northeast man accused of armed robbery and an attempted armed robbery. Police say Everett Lewis met his victims through the popular website and app "Offer-Up," which is used to sell personal property. (Subscribe to DC Patch for more crime news.)

At about 1:49 p.m. June 16, police were called to the unit block of Girard Street, NE. The victims said they were meeting with the suspect to buy a cell phone and that the transaction was organized through the app.

During the transaction, a second suspect approached them, brandished a handgun and demanded their property. The victims complied and the suspects took money and cell phones from the victims before fleeing the scene, police said.

The next incident occurred June 20 in the Unit block of Michigan Avenue, NE. At about 7:30 p.m., the victim met with the suspect, via the OfferUp app, to buy a camera. The suspect lured the victim into an alley, where two additional suspects approached, police said.

A suspect brandished a handgun and demanded property. A citizen then interrupted the robbery and the suspects fled the scene without obtaining property, police told Patch. This case remains under investigation.

Police arrested Lewis Wednesday, June 5 on the strength of a DC Superior Court arrest warrant.

Police urge citizens to use Safe Exchange Zones when conducting in-person transactions using online apps like Craigslist and Offer Up. For more information, see here.

Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to call police at 202-727-9099. Additionally, information may be submitted to the TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.

Patch File Photo