Facebook Deal Goes Awry When Woman Swipes iPhone: Prosecutor

OAK LAWN, IL -- A Waukegan woman was arrested after she grabbed a phone from a seller and then hid in a backyard while police looked for her, prosecutors said. Adryona Bannister, 20, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of theft. Bannister is also charged with misdemeanor obstructing ID.

Bannister arranged to buy an iPhone with a private party over Facebook. The prosecutor said that Bannister and the seller both agreed to meet, where Bannister would purchase the phone for $800. Around 5:48 p.m., Bannister arrived at the Walgreens store at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn, according to the charges.

The seller showed the phone to Bannister. She asked to check the serial numbers before she allegedly grabbed the phone and took off on foot down a nearby alley. Officers found Bannister hiding in a resident’s backyard. The iPhone was located in another yard. The seller positively identified Bannister, the prosecutor said. The

Bannister was released on $30,000 I-bond. She was also given a curfew. Bannister’s next court date is June 28.