Two armed robbers are in jail after targeting a seller on an online marketplace. The suspects met with the seller in Verrado for the intended transaction, but instead, they grabbed the goods, took off, and even shot at the victim.
Around 12:15 p.m. yesterday, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance near Verrado Way and Park Meadows Dr. Investigators learned the victim had met with two males to sell them a pair of shoes advertised on Offer Up. The suspects grabbed the shoes and ran away. When the victim began chasing after them, one of the suspects turned and fired a round in the victim’s direction. Fortunately, the victim was not hurt.
Officers quickly located the robbers less than half a mile away near Verrado Way and Stone Hill Road. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspects were taken into custody. Officers located the handgun in a trash can and found the stolen property to be returned to the owner. The suspects have been identified as a 17-year-old male booked on armed robbery and aggravated assault charges and 18-year-old Israel Ochoa who was booked on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault and discharging a weapon in city limits.
With the popularity of online marketplace sales, it is important to take precautions when meeting a stranger for a transaction. Make sure you are meeting in a public place like the police department, shopping centers and gas stations. Consider populated areas where there are surveillance cameras.
