Durham Police have arrested a 17-year-old from Ajax for several thefts after meeting victims through Kijiji.
On September 24, members of the West Division Property Crimes Unit identified a suspect after several incidents of theft and robberies which occurred from May to September. A search warrant was executed at a residence in Ajax and the suspect was arrested. Several of the stolen items were recovered.
The suspect would reply to online ads from Kijiji where victims were selling bicycles, E-bikes and expensive running shoes. The suspect would agree on meeting the victims to purchase the items. When the suspect met up with the potential sellers, he would grab the items and run away without paying. In one case he shoved the seller before taking the item.
A 17-year-old Ajax male was charged with: Robbery; Theft x8; Possession of Stolen Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x3 and Fraud Under $5,000. He was later released on a Promise to Appear.
DRPS Tips
Police are reminding residents to take precautions when selling items on any online platform. It’s best to meet during the day in a public place away from your residence, and bring along someone with you. Don’t accept partial payment or anything other than cash and don’t hand over the item until you have the cash from the buyer.
Anyone with new information about these incidents is asked to call D/Cst. Richardson of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2308.