PG County Police Urge Caution After String Of Marketplace Robberies

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County police are warning residents to use caution when buying or selling items online after investigating several recent marketplace robberies.

Authorities said the robberies have involved people meeting strangers to buy or sell items, including jewelry, expensive equipment, tools and other personal property. Police said transactions arranged through online marketplaces, social media, word of mouth and even yard sales can quickly become dangerous.

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Police recommended taking the following precautions when meeting someone to complete a sale:

• Meet in a public place, such as a police district station lobby or parking lot.
• Never go alone. Bring a friend or family member whenever possible.
• Tell someone your plans, including where you're going, who you're meeting and when you expect to return.
• Speak with the buyer or seller by phone instead of communicating only through an app or online messages.
• Verify the other person's identity before meeting if possible. If you can't confirm who you're meeting, don't risk it, no matter how good the deal appears.
• Don't invite buyers to your home unless the item is too large to move.

"If you can't verify the seller before your meeting, then don't take a chance, no matter how good the deal seems," police said.

Police also urged residents to prioritize their personal safety whenever arranging an in-person transaction.