Locals warned of Craigslist scam

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Seller Beware. That's the alert from Beech Grove Police.

They said two victims met their attackers on Craigslist after the buyers agreed to meet them. Both victims were selling mobile phones on Craigslist.

They thought they had a guaranteed sell, but both ended up getting attacked and their phones taken.

It's not hard to find people selling things on Craigslist. "Plenty of vehicles and cell phones," said Brandon Todd of Indianapolis.

Monday, Todd said he used Craigslist to try and sell his T-Mobile radar 4g. He listed the phone for $150 and in a matter of minutes had a buyer.

"At first he said he want to meet at Carson and Troy and then he changed his mind and wanted me to meet at 9th and Redfern," Todd said. Around 10pm, Todd met the buyer at Beech Grove Village Apartments. He said when he went to make the transaction, instead of getting paid he got punched.

"He just came out and asked me if I had the phone to sell, so I said yeah. I got out and all of a sudden he punched me right in the face. I fell and he took the phone and four other guys scattered with him," he said.

Just four days before Todd was assaulted, Beech Grove Police were called to Willow Glen Apartments. Investigators said a teen who also tried to sell a phone on Craigslist was attacked too. And police believe the same suspects could be responsible.

"They absolutely could be connected. There's no doubt," said Beech Grove Captain Robert Mercuri. Capt. Mercuri is investigating one of the cases. In each case, they were young suspects that were involved in this and in each case it was late in the evening that they met," he said.

Todd said he's learned a good lesson trying to sell his phone online. He hopes others learn from his mistake.

"Definitely don't meet nobody after dark unless you're going to a place full of people that's got plenty of light," he said.

Police also said you should never meet anyone buying or selling after dark; it should take place during business hours in a well lit area. Police tell 24 Hour News 8 they plan to use the victims phone records. The suspects communicated with each victim via-text messaging.