After a strong-arm robbery in Burien, the King County Sheriff’s Office issued the following warning about buying/selling products from strangers:
This is an important reminder to take precautionary measures when selling or buying anything in person from people you do not know.
On Aug. 10, 2020, the King County Sheriff’s Office responded to a strong-arm robbery. The victim saw a phone for sale in an online classifieds app and contacted the seller, who arranged to meet in a parking lot in the 900 block of SW 148 Street in Burien (map below).
When the victim met with the suspect, she counted out her money in exchange for the phone that was offered. The suspect grabbed the money from her hand and continued to hold her wrist as he accelerated his vehicle, dragging the victim for a short distance until the suspect let go and drove off.
The victim called 911 and was given medical attention at the scene. Luckily, her injuries were not serious.
When making a purchase or selling something in person please take the following precautions:
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- Never go alone to make a transaction. Always have someone with you to ensure safety.
- Plan to meet in a well-lit, and very public place with lots of people and/or cameras around. We suggest your local police station, which can be a deterrent for bad intentions.
- Make a mental note of the vehicle description and, if possible, jot down the license plate of the person’s vehicle and leave it in your car, just in case.
- Most importantly – TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If something seems a bit ‘off’ or you just don’t feel right about the person, trust your gut.
