After Buyer is Shot in the Head, Law Enforcement Caution Public on Craigslist Crimes
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: November 15, 2012
Some shoppers like Bernisha Ridgle prefer the in-store experience, instead of looking for deals online through the classifieds listed on Craigslist.
"I would rather go shop in a mall, store because it's not safe," she said, before browsing through a wall of shoes at the mall.
On Wednesday, Pine Bluff Police say two men met up with a seller after seeing car rims for sale on Cragislist. Officers say the seller attempted to rob them of their cash and sent one to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head.
"Yeah, I would never meet up with anyone I didn't know. It's just not safe," Ridgle reiterated.
"You really don't want to put yourself in a bad situation you really don't have to be in," said Lt. Carl Minden with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.
Law enforcement, beginning to see more cases of crimes in Central Arkansas stemming from Craigslist.
"It's not an every day occurrence but it is something that people need to be aware of," he said. "You don't want people to be paranoid. You don't want people to panic. But you want them to be safe.
Buyers should beware of who is making the offer and where they want to do the deal.
"There are people looking to take advantage. It may be an ulterior motive to rob you which we've seen a couple of cases recently in the Central Arkansas area," Minden said. "And if you're going to meet up with them, select a place that's safe -- in public where there's a lot of foot traffic and preferably during the day."
Sellers can also be at risk, like one UALR student who was held up at gunpoint on-campus for the iPad he listed to sell through the site.
"The student actually invited the robber to campus, thinking he was selling a computer," said Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Bob Adams. "Obviously the perpetrator came here with a different agenda, and it was a Craigslist deal gone bad."
At the end of the day, Minden said there's one question to ask yourself.
"Is every person using Craigslist looking to commit a crime, no. But do you want to take that risk?" he asked.
Ridgle said it's something she's not willing to stick her neck out for, and that she'll stick to shopping in stores where security and sales clerks can see her coming.
Pine Bluff Police are following up on leads, and police say the victim's injuries are not life-threatening
"I would rather go shop in a mall, store because it's not safe," she said, before browsing through a wall of shoes at the mall.
On Wednesday, Pine Bluff Police say two men met up with a seller after seeing car rims for sale on Cragislist. Officers say the seller attempted to rob them of their cash and sent one to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head.
"Yeah, I would never meet up with anyone I didn't know. It's just not safe," Ridgle reiterated.
"You really don't want to put yourself in a bad situation you really don't have to be in," said Lt. Carl Minden with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.
Law enforcement, beginning to see more cases of crimes in Central Arkansas stemming from Craigslist.
"It's not an every day occurrence but it is something that people need to be aware of," he said. "You don't want people to be paranoid. You don't want people to panic. But you want them to be safe.
Buyers should beware of who is making the offer and where they want to do the deal.
"There are people looking to take advantage. It may be an ulterior motive to rob you which we've seen a couple of cases recently in the Central Arkansas area," Minden said. "And if you're going to meet up with them, select a place that's safe -- in public where there's a lot of foot traffic and preferably during the day."
Sellers can also be at risk, like one UALR student who was held up at gunpoint on-campus for the iPad he listed to sell through the site.
"The student actually invited the robber to campus, thinking he was selling a computer," said Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Bob Adams. "Obviously the perpetrator came here with a different agenda, and it was a Craigslist deal gone bad."
At the end of the day, Minden said there's one question to ask yourself.
"Is every person using Craigslist looking to commit a crime, no. But do you want to take that risk?" he asked.
Ridgle said it's something she's not willing to stick her neck out for, and that she'll stick to shopping in stores where security and sales clerks can see her coming.
Pine Bluff Police are following up on leads, and police say the victim's injuries are not life-threatening
