A couple of crime/scam items have crossed the transom this weekend that you should be aware of. Here's the first:
A Lawndale man met with a man he had contacted through Craigslist to purchase an iPhone on Feb. 19. They met at a parking lot in Temple City, where the Lawdale man planned to purchase an iPhone that was advertised for sale for $500.
According to the sheriffs, "Instead of selling the victim the iPhone, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded that he hand over all his money. Fearing for his life, the victim gave the suspect the $500 in cash, which he had brought with him to pay for the iPhone. The victim then turned and ran for his life. The victim was not injured."
Investigators from the Asian Gang Team at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office and the Temple City Station conducted an investigattion that lidentified the suspect as Daniel So, 19, of South Pasadena.
So was arrested after a stakeout on Feb. 25 where he left his home with another man, Garrett Helstrom, 20, of South Pasadena. Deputies stopped their vehicle, and found deputies found an exact replica of a semi-automatic handgun and suspected stolen property. Both men were arrested and are being held at Temple City Sheriff's station under $100,000 bail.
Investigators believe that So and Helstrom may have committed similar robberies in the San Gabriel Valley area. If you were a victim of this type of robbery, please contact sheriff's investigators or your local law enforcement authorities and report it.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Safety considerations from the sheriff's office, after the jump:
People usually purchase or sell possessions without anything going wrong. However, criminals will use a variety of means to steal or do others harm. By following good safety precautions, you can reduce the chance that you will have your property stolen, and even more importantly, that you avoid harm.
When meeting someone for the first time, including to make a purchase or to sell something, please remember:
* Your personal safety is your priority
* Legitimate buyers and sellers will be as concerned about their personal safety as you are about yours.
* Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe. Do not meet in a secluded place, and never invite strangers into your home.
* Highly populated and well traveled areas are usually safer
* Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items
* Tell a friend or family member where you are going and with whom exactly you are meeting
* Consider having a friend accompany you
* Take your cell phone along
* Trust your instincts. Leave if someone or something looks suspicious, especially if you arrive at the location and there is no vehicle visible.
* It is better that you feel impolite and drive away, than to risk your safety.
* If you are robbed, give the suspects the property they are asking for; your life and personal safety is more valuable than your property.
* Your personal safety is your priority
