|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
An East Palo Alto man and a juvenile were arrested after the juvenile allegedly brandished a handgun in an attempt to steal clothing after meeting ostensibly to make a purchase through Facebook Marketplace on July 11, according to a press release from the Menlo Park Police Department.
The juvenile and victims arranged to meet in the Willows neighborhood in Menlo Park to purchase clothes on the peer-to-peer marketplace. However, once they met, the juvenile allegedly showed a handgun to the victim, took the items and fled the scene.
Following a call to the police department, detectives canvased the neighborhood for security camera footage and interviewed witnesses. Detectives identified the car used by the suspects as a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and used Flock Automated License Plate Readers to get the license plate information.
Later in the day, detectives saw the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, where they observed the juvenile and adult wearing the allegedly stolen clothes. Both were arrested and charged with felony robbery, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. Police did not provide the value of the stolen goods, which would determine whether the stolen property charge would be a felony or misdemeanor.
Even though the adult did not brandish the handgun, if found guilty of conspiracy, he could face the same sentence as if he had committed the crime.
Meta, which is coincidentally located 1.5 miles from where the crime occurred, recommends people meet in public, well-lit areas when exchanging goods in-person from Facebook marketplace. It also recommends users share their plans and location with trusted friends, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and consider using delivery instead of in-person meetings.
Meta did not respond to requests for comment.
The Menlo Park Police Department incorrectly stated in its press release that the crime occurred on June 11, 2023, a detective assigned to the case told this news organization.
The East Palo Alto resident is currently released on his own recognizance related to a charge of misdemeanor grand theft from June 11, 2023, when he allegedly stole a cellular device in Redwood City. He previously had a warrant issued for failing to appear in that case.
It is this news organization’s policy to not name suspects except in extraordinary circumstances until the District Attorney’s Office files charges. The District Attorney’s Office had not received the case as of Tuesday and charges have yet to be filed on Wednesday.
Thank you for not releasing names before the DA and no matter what, please do NOT release juvenile names! Thank you!