iPhone purchase becomes gunpoint hell for Craigslist user

by Steven Mostyn - Feb 21 2011, 17:47

Without wishing to cast unfair aspersions against Craigslist, The Tech Herald will be exercising even more vigilance while perusing its classified ads after learning that an otherwise straightforward transaction recently went distinctly sour for one unlucky user.

According to Los Angeles County Sherrif’s Sgt. Michael Martinez, an unnamed man was robbed at gunpoint after meeting up with a stranger who’d arranged to sell his an iPhone for $500 USD.

The robbery, which involved the brandishing of a semiautomatic pistol, took place behind a Carl’s Jr. restaurant in Temple City at around 3:20 p.m., and resulted in the assailant depriving his victim of the asking price before fleeing the scene on foot.

Local police authorities are looking for information or eyewitness reports regarding an Asian man standing at around 5 feet 9 inches, weighing approximately 160 pounds, and wearing a red jacket.

Although Sgt. Martinez believes the seller took adequate precaution by meeting the buyer in broad daylight and in a public place, we can’t help but focus on the “behind a Carl’s Jr. restaurant” part of the attack.

Specifically, suggestions of meeting anywhere other than inside a restaurant, fast-food outlet or coffee shop would certainly send up red flags for us… but perhaps we’re being overly cautious.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Craigslist has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Often criticised for not properly vetting its ads, the latter half of 2010 saw the popular online service lambasted for turning a blind eye to prostitution.

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