Durham Police are asking residents to be cautious when selling items online after three separate street-level robberies occurred in Whitby.
Between November and December, three separate victims have had their cellphones stolen after attempting to sell them to an unknown person after advertising their phones on social media websites. All three incidents occurred in the area of Garden Street and Bassett Boulevard in Whitby, said a police media release.
The victims involved would arrange a pre-determined location for the transaction and then the suspect would coax them into changing the location to a quieter place. One of the victims was threatened with a knife, it added.
The suspect involved in the robberies is described as: male, black, 20-25 years old, 5’10”, slim build, curly hair. He was wearing a white-hooded jacket and black pants.
Investigators are reminding the public to remain vigilant and be aware when advertising merchandise for sale on social media websites to ensure that the exchange is done in a public place or in the parking lot of a busy commercial property. Bring a friend with you if possible.
Anyone with new information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Reeves of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1835.