Southern Pines Police recently arrested a 16-year-old male on robbery charges after he allegedly stole iPhones during private transactions.
The teen was charged with robbery, robbery with a firearm, two counts of larceny, possession of marijuana and resisting arrest, said Southern Pines Police Department in a Wednesday news release.
“On three separate occasions, this 16-year-old male responded to an online advertisement to purchase an iPhone that was listed for sale on the “Letgo” mobile classified application,” said the news release. “In each instance, the owner of the iPhone agreed to meet the 16-year-old male to complete the sales transaction. Upon meeting the seller of the iPhone, the 16-year-old male stole the iPhone and on one occasion did so by pointing a firearm.”
Following one of the reported thefts, the juvenile was arrested after fleeing on foot when officers spotted him on Dean Avenue in Southern Pines. The news release said ‘One stolen iPhone was recovered in addition to marijuana the suspect had in his possession.’
The suspect was incarcerated in the Moore County Detention Center under a $20,000.00 secured bond and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Southern Pines Police Department said in the news release they have a “Internet Purchase Exchange Area” at the Southern Pines Police Department located at 450 W. Pennsylvania Avenue.
“There is a room in the Southern Pines Police Department dedicated for internet sales transactions. There is a separate access door which is available 24/7. For larger items you can meet in the parking lot, and the building is under video monitoring 24/7,” said the department.
File photo ~Sandhills Sentinel
