Stafford Teens Charged After Facebook Marketplace Robbery Ends in Gunfire

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — Four Stafford County juveniles are facing multiple felony charges after investigators said they lured victims to a Facebook Marketplace meeting to rob them at gunpoint before opening fire as the victims fled.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests Wednesday following a weeks-long investigation into the July 18 incident on Ebenezer Church Road.

According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report of shots fired that night and learned the victims had traveled to the area to sell a Spyder-brand sweatshirt to someone they had connected with through Facebook Marketplace.

Investigators said one suspect initially met the victims before returning to an apartment. A short time later, the suspect allegedly returned with several other individuals, some of whom were armed.

Authorities said the victims drove away after realizing they were being robbed. As they fled, the suspects allegedly fired multiple shots at the vehicle before stealing the sweatshirt. The Sheriff's Office did not report any injuries.

Investigation Led To Additional Charges

Detectives determined the suspects had entered a vacant apartment through a window before the meeting and used it to wait for the victims. The suspects fled on foot before deputies arrived.

The Sheriff's Office said detectives spent several weeks executing search warrants, conducting surveillance and reviewing evidence before identifying four juvenile suspects. Investigators concluded the robbery had been planned in advance, resulting in additional conspiracy charges.

The stolen sweatshirt was recovered during the investigation.

Each juvenile has been charged with:

• Two counts of attempted aggravated malicious wounding.
• Two counts of armed robbery.
• Two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
• One count of shooting into an occupied vehicle.
• One count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

All four juveniles are being held at the Rappahannock Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Because they are juveniles, the Sheriff's Office did not release their names.

Sheriff's Office Promotes Safe Exchange Zones

Following the arrests, the Sheriff's Office reminded residents that its Safe Exchange Zones are available for anyone buying or selling items through online marketplaces.

The designated exchange area is located outside the Humphrey Building at 1225 Courthouse Road in Stafford. The location is well-lit, monitored and intended to provide a safer place for transactions arranged through sites such as Facebook Marketplace.