Alachua County deputies investigating robbery tied to Facebook Marketplace meetup
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a robbery that occurred Wednesday during a Facebook Marketplace transaction in Gainesville.
Deputies responded to a call reporting that two people had traveled to Gainesville to meet with potential buyers. During the meeting, two masked suspects dressed in black approached them. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun, according to deputies.
The two suspects forcibly took the items and ran away. The individual who arranged the meeting also fled the scene and was later determined to have been involved in the robbery, according to reports.
“There is plenty of evidence to believe that this was very much a planned attack,” said Chris Sims, a public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. “There’s no doubt in my mind these individuals planned this transaction. Their entire goal was to commit that robbery.”
Deputies are working to locate the three suspects. Detectives believe the incident was isolated.
The sheriff’s office is encouraging anyone using online marketplaces to meet in public, well-lit locations where other people and security cameras are present.
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