Armed Robbery In Columbia Started With Online Sale: Police

COLUMBIA, MD — A man was robbed at gunpoint Sunday morning in Columbia when he met to complete a purchase that was agreed upon online, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Police said the robbery happened in the 6000 block of Majors Lane around 10:04 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

The victim had arranged to meet in person someone he had interacted with online to buy a cell phone, police said.

Instead, he arrived to find the suspect with a handgun, demanding cash, according to authorities.

The suspect was described as a thin black man who was 6 feet 1 inch tall wearing a silver jacket and dark pants, according to police.

Community members have access to "safe spaces" that police have arranged for those meeting up in person to buy or sell items they discussed online. Yellow signs mark the designated parking spaces at these locations for the safe spaces:

• Community Outreach, 10471 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
• Northern District Station, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
• Southern District Station, 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel

The lobbies of all police stations in Howard County are also available for use as meetup spots.

Image via Google Streetview. Main image is Patch file photo.