Suspect Charged In Craigslist Homicide
By Syma Chowdhry
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (CBS) –When it comes to Craigslist, sellers and buyers beware.
That's what Allentown police say after a man was fatally shot trying to sell his car.
Eric Ervin had posted an ad, hoping to get $18,000 for a 2003 BMW.
The suspect, Tyrell Young, responded to the ad and agreed to meet Ervin Tuesday at his auto-detailing shop.
Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin says, "Supposed to have occurred sometime between 3 and 4 in the afternoon, as it happened. He did not appear until sometime after 6 p.m."
Police say both men went for a test drive.
When they returned to the shop, police say Young shot the victim once in the neck and took off with the car.
When Ervin didn't return to his Coopersburg home, his girlfriend called police, asking them to check on him at the shop.
Martin says, "He was found in an enclosed work trailer which he used in his business and was deceased."
After going through phone records, police tracked the suspect's cell phone.
They found Young in Reading, driving the stolen BMW, with a stolen gun in plain sight.
Authorities say this is a prime example to take caution when buying or selling items through Craigslist.
Allentown Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald says, "In areas that are well lit and well occupied, perhaps in front of a police station. We are not going to stop internet commerce but what we can do is encourage people to conduct those transactions with a maximum degree of safety."
Young is being detained for a state parole violation.
He is facing homicide and robbery charges.