PEA RIDGE — A young Pea RIdge man who routinely buys and resells cell phones found his latest venture less than profitable.
When he met with a potential iPhone seller shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, he was robbed at gunpoint, but escaped unharmed.
The 18-year-old told police he advertised on Craigslist to buy cell phones and was contacted by a man who agreed to meet him in the parking lot of McDonald’s in Pea Ridge. The two men sat in the victim’s truck while the buyer examined the phone.
The buyer agreed to the purchase price, then the seller pulled a handgun and demanded the price of the phone and the buyer’s remaining cash, Pea Ridge Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said. The young man gave his money, approximately $500, and the phone to the suspect, who then ran away on foot headed south.
The victim was uninjured, Ledbetter said.
“This young man is very fortunate that he was not injured. It is best to err on the side of caution and set meetings in public with people around. Have someone with you when meeting people with whom you’re not familiar,” Ledbetter said. “Make as mental notes as possible -description of person, vehicle type, license number, even ask for a photo identification.
This protects both parties.”
The suspect is a black man, possibly in his 30s, police said.
Anyone with information should call the department at 451-8220.
News, Pages 1 on 02/22/2012