'Unconscionable': Facebook Marketplace Scam Seriously Injures Man; Man Indicted: SCDA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Wheatley Heights man was indicted in connection with a robbery stemming from a Facebook Marketplace sale, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Tuesday.

Jordan Behling, 23, was charged with first-degree robbery, among other charges, after he stole cash from a prospective Facebook Marketplace buyer and then drove away while the buyer was hanging out of Behling's car window, the DA's Office said. The buyer was seriously injured, officials said.

"This defendant's alleged decision to steal from the victim is bad enough, but to take off and drive recklessly down the road with the victim hanging onto the car is unconscionable," Tierney said in a news release. "My office will seek justice for the victim and hold the defendant accountable for his actions."

The buyer planned to pick up a PlayStation 5 around 7:15 p.m. June 16 after making arrangements to purchase it from Behling through Facebook Marketplace, investigators said.

When Behling, who was driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox, pulled up to the buyer's home, the buyer handed him $280 in cash through the car window, prosecutors said. Behling grabbed the money and sped off while the buyer was still partially inside of the car, authorities said.

Behling then drove for two blocks while weaving in an effort to shake the man off of the Chevy, officials said. Behling sideswiped a parked car, causing the man to become dislodged from the Chevy, authorities said. Behling drove away without stopping to check on the man or reporting
the incident to police, prosecutors said.

The man was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated for serious physical
injuries he suffered in the crash, officials said. He is currently confined to a wheelchair, investigators said.

At the crash scene, police officers saw car parts belonging to a Chevy Equinox, authorities said. Police determined that the Chevy had been rented by a member of Behling’s family and used by Behling at the time of the crash, the DA said. The Chevy was found by law enforcement at Behling’s family member’s home and impounded as evidence, prosecutors said.

Behling had stolen money from two other people under similar circumstances, the DA said. In both prior thefts, the victims made arrangements with Behling through Facebook Marketplace to purchase a PlayStation 5, Tierney said. After the prospective buyers went to a location to exchange money for the PlayStation 5, Behling stole the money from them without delivering them the gaming console, authorities said.

Behling was arraigned Tuesday on two counts of first-degree robbery; one count of first-degree assault; one count of second-degree assault; one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury; one count of second-degree reckless endangerment; and two counts of petty larceny.

Behling was ordered held on $50K cash, $100K bond, or $500K partially-secured bond while his case is decided. Behling is due back in court on Feb. 12 and is being represented by Matthew Tuohy.