Teen Lured Bergen County Buyer With PlayStation 5, Hit Him With Vehicle: Prosecutor

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Hudson County teenager stands accused of robbing a Bergen County victim who answered a Facebook ad to buy a PlayStation 5 — and then hitting him with his vehicle.

Investigators say the teen may be the perpetrator in other, similar crimes.

Yassine G. Rahi, 18, of Bayonne was charged Thursday, April 4 with robbery, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and theft by unlawful taking, said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors said that on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at approximately 4:58 p.m., the Moonachie Police Department responded to Avenue C in Moonachie for a reported hit-and-run.

Police found a 22-year-old victim with serious bodily injuries who was struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by someone who'd robbed the victim during a pre-arranged Facebook Marketplace transaction, prosecutors said.

The victim had met with the suspect in order to buy a PlayStation 5 video game console, Moonachie police learned.

They and the Prosecutor's Office then "identified a pattern of unsolved Facebook Marketplace robberies in North Jersey that involved fictitious Facebook accounts selling PlayStation 5 video game consoles," prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, "The user of these Facebook accounts would advertise a sale of the video game system and arrange a meeting. When it came time for the in-person transaction, the suspect would rob the victims of the money intended for the purchase of the video game console."

Multiple law enforcement agencies in North Jersey investigated and identified Rahi as the person who robbed the Moonachie victim of $275.

He was arrested in Bayonne on April 4 by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Moonachie Police
Department, the Ridgefield Park Police Department, and the Guttenberg Police Department, prosecutors said.

He was charged with the above-mentioned crimes and given several motor vehicle summonses as well.

Rahi was taken to the Bergen County Jail and is awaiting a detention hearing.

Prosecutors said the investigation continues, "and additional charges are expected to be filed in coordination with partner agencies for the robberies that occurred in other jurisdictions."

Prosecutor: 'If Something Feels Too Good To Be True...'

“I want to take this opportunity to remind all residents of Bergen County about the importance of exercising caution and vigilance when engaging in online transactions,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. “While various online platforms offer a convenient way to buy and sell property, they also present opportunities for exploitation by dishonest individuals."

He added, "If you must use social media or an online platform to arrange a transaction, meet at a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ which is a designated area that is usually equipped with security cameras and may be offered at your local police department.”

He added, “Whether or not you conduct an online transaction at a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ always meet in public, well-lit areas, and never meet a stranger alone. Trust your instincts – if something feels off or too good to be true, it likely is.

"Additionally, report any suspicious activity or encounters to your local police without delay. By remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions, we can help safeguard ourselves and our communities."