SPD detectives are investigating a series of robberies involving the online marketplace, OfferUp.
In June, three people reported being robbed at gunpoint during attempted purchases and sales of vehicles through OfferUp.
In the first case, on June 14th, a man and a woman were robbed at gunpoint by three men after meeting with the suspects to purchase a vehicle in the 1100 block of Southwest Webster Street. The suspects stole a laptop and a purse from the victims and fired two shots during the robbery before fleeing the scene. No one was struck by the gunfire.
On June 24th, police responded to a report of a gunshot at 12th Avenue and Corson Street, where they found a man who had been robbed and pistol-whipped after attempting to sell his motorcycle on OfferUp. In that incident, one of the two suspects pistol-whipped the victim and took his wallet and keys but left behind the motorcycle.
Most recently, on June 29th, a man reported he had met a man purportedly selling a car on OfferUp in the 6500 block of 30th Avenue Southwest, only to have the seller pull a gun on him, demand cash, and threaten to shoot him.
Detective are urging the public to take caution when meeting buyers and sellers in online sales. While SPD’s five precinct lobbies remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the South, Southwest and North Precincts have publicly accessible parking lots available for safe meetups with online buyers and sellers. If you have any information about any of these cases, please contact SPD’s Robbery Unit at 206 684 5535