Craigslist robberies suspect sought

Memphis police are searching for a suspect involved in a string of robberies during Craigslist transactions.

In two reported incidents occurring on June 20 and June 24, the suspect responded to ads regarding the sale of Apple MacBook Pro laptops. The suspect requested meeting at Briar Club Apartments and The Trails apartments at Mt. Moriah, respectively. In both incidents, the suspect took the laptop from the victims and fled. In the latter robbery, the suspect pulled out a black semi-automatic gun.

In a third incident on June 25, officers returned to The Trails of Mt. Moriah in response to the robbery of a victim who placed an ad to trade his Samsung Galaxy S6 cellphone for an Apple iPhone 6. The suspect suggested meeting the victim at the Family Dollar at 6550 Mt. Moriah Extended. Upon meeting the victim, the suspect traveled to The Trails apartment complex via the victims vehicle to conduct the exchange. Upon arriving, the suspect drew a black semiautomatic weapon, attempting to rob the victim. However, in a struggle, the victim was able to retrieve the suspect’s handgun and the suspect fled.

This is the second wave of robberies related to Craigslist postings in the Memphis area this year. In February, a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a series of robberies that took place behind a home in Whitehaven. A woman responded to inquiries on the website, inviting victims to the home. Insisting that the front door of the home was blocked by furniture, the victims were led around back where they were robbed at gunpoint.

Last November, a juvenile was arrested in Bartlett for allegedly trying to rob a man who was trying to buy an iPhone through an ad the suspect placed on Craigslist.

And in March 2014, a man was shot and killed after gunmen stole his Mustang that he had listed for sale on Craigslist.