Craigslist Robbery Suspect Arrested
PHILADELPHIA - Only On Fox: A diamond ring, craigslist and an alleged scam artist prove to be costly for one Internet shopper - and there may be more victims.
Fox 29 News told you earlier this summer about Internet shoppers getting ripped off at gunpoint.
Police have arrested a Philadelphia man who authorities say stole a $10,000 ring from a seller on craigslist.
According to police, this case may be just the opening round on a string of other Internet-related robberies, reported Fox 29’s Dave Schratwieser.
Police say 22-year-old Corey Jackson likes to shop on craigslist. They also say he likes to scam people.
"It looks like craigslist was used to scam somebody and it turned into a robbery," says Captain Ben Naish of Philadelphia Police.
Jackson was arrested on Tuesday in connection with an Internet scam that cost one victim a $10,000 diamond ring. Police say Jackson agreed to meet the craigslist diamond seller at 30th Street Station where he told the seller he would pay him for the ring.
"Our victim, who was operating the car was asked to drive to another location," says Capt. Naish.
The pair traveled to the 300 block of St. Bernard Street where Jackson claimed he was going to get the cash.
"When he grabbed the diamond ring to allegedly look at it very closely and study it and make sure it was legitimate, he maced our victim," says Naish.
The theft victim reported the ring robbery to police then monitored the Internet until he found Jackson dabbling with customers again. He and another victim got in touch with detectives who set up a sting operation.
"The police were in the area. Our victim from the original robbery saw the same guy who had robbed him back in June, identified him and we grabbed him and we have him under arrest," says Naish.
The victim positively identified Jackson as the suspect who stole his diamond ring. Earlier this summer, there were similar craigslist-related robberies, but those were at gunpoint after sellers met buyers in person.
"You better be really careful before you go ahead with that type of a meet," warns Naish.
Captain Naish says detectives are looking into several more robbery cases across the state and more charges could be on the way.
Jackson is awaiting arraignment on robbery, theft and receiving stolen property charges. That diamond ring was never recovered.
