Police are warning the public to be extra cautious when buying or selling items online after two violent assaults and thefts in as many days in Port Moody.
At 8 p.m. on Jan. 6, police responding to reports of a fight in progress at the corner of St. Johns Street and Barnet Highway found a man who had been assaulted and robbed by a group of males. The victim told police he had arranged to meet someone claiming to be interested in buying his cell phone on the popular community listings website, Craigslist.
Police later arrested two youths near where the attack took place and recovered the victim's phone as well as other items linked to the assault and robbery, according to Port Moody Police spokesman Const. Bill Kim.
Kim said he believes the assault is likely linked to a similar attack in Port Moody the night before.
"A young fellow was trying to sell his iPhone and when he met the prospective buyer, [he] was assaulted and the phone was taken," Kim said.
The injuries sustained in both attacks were non-life threatening.
Kim warned prospective online buyers and sellers to meet at a safe public place such as a local police station.
"Craigslist is readily used and I think people are nowadays comfortable using the technology because it's easy. But there are unscrupulous individuals who will use it too to trap unsuspecting victims," he said.
The underage suspects in the attacks have been released but will likely face charges of assault and robbery, said Kim.
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