Jan 1, 2009 6:15 pm US/Eastern
Annapolis Police Report Robbery Tied To Craigslist
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Annapolis police have arrested a teen suspected of using craigslist as a front for attracting buyers before he robbed them at gunpoint.
Some people who arranged to buy items on craigslist ended up with much more than they bargained for when they met the seller in Annapolis.
Suzanne Collins reports they were robbed at gunpoint and their own belongings were taken.
Craigslist's free classifieds have become the way to buy and sell for many people. However, police say when a teen advertised cell phones and a gift card on the site, he really was luring the buyers to Annapolis to rob them.
He's been arrested, and there's a warrant for a second man.
"Antonio Queen is the one who is being sought in an active warrant. There is one young man in custody. He is being charged as an adult with armed robbery," said Jane Schlegel, Annapolis Police Department.
That suspect is Charles Carroll, 17, of Crofton. Police think there may be a third suspect.
The first robbery took place Dec. 23 on Gemini Drive near some townhomes. A day after Christmas, the suspect held up two more people, one at a gas station near Forrest Drive.
On the "avoid scams" page on craigslist, it recommends buying locally and making sure the person will meet you face-to-face, but in this case that did not help.
"These incidents all happened in the evening or at night. They went to an area where they did not know, they were not familiar with. They did not know the person they were meeting, so it's really an advisory to those who like to use craigslist," said Schlegel.
Police suggest meeting a seller in a public place during the daytime.
One young woman who lives near where the robberies occurred is concerned.
"Well, I'm pretty scared about it because I actually was just going to meet somebody about a job," said Lisa Maholchic.
That job was posted on craigslist.
"So now I think I'll bring my husband," said Maholchic.
Another young man says he's careful.
"I think a lot of people our age do use it. I don't use it too much just because of the whole security issue," said Rick Utz.
One victim had a gun put to his head while he sat in his car with his three small children in the back seat.
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