KALAMAZOO, MI – Police arrested a suspect in a robbery that happened during a Facebook Marketplace transaction.
Ignacio Pederson, 24, of Kalamazoo, was charged with armed robbery and resisting and obstructing police for trying to flee during his arrest last week.
The robbery happened around 1 p.m. Feb. 1 in the 1100 block of Interfaith Boulevard, Kalamazoo police said.
A Facebook Marketplace user had arranged the sale of a cellphone and two cellphone cases when the buyer implied he had a gun and robbed the victim of the items, police said.
Kalamazoo police arrested Pederson on Thursday, Feb. 20. He was arraigned Friday in Kalamazoo District Court charged with armed robbery and resisting arrest, police said.
He was jailed on bonds totaling $25,500.
Police provided the following tips to arrange safe online transactions:
Meet in a Safe Location: Choose a public, well-lit area with security cameras, such as the KDPS Safe Exchange Zone outside headquarters. Be cautious if the other party insists on a specific, unchangeable location.
Bring a Friend: Avoid going alone. Having someone with you provides an extra layer of security and can deter potential scammers.
Trust Your Instincts: If anything feels off about the buyer, seller, or meeting location, cancel the transaction.
Check the Seller’s Profile: Review the seller’s Facebook profile for red flags, such as new accounts, incomplete profiles, or refusal to share basic details.
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