Philadelphia Police Search For Suspects In Craigslist-Related Robberies
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - 3 is On Your Side with a warning to Craigslist users trying to sell expensive watches.
Philadelphia police say men posing as buyers have robbed three people at gunpoint.
One of the victims spoke exclusively to Eyewitness News.
"Selling this watch hasn't been an easy thing so far," Nick DiCampello said.
The Movado watch, according to DiCampello, is worth around $3,000. In a pinch for some quick cash, DiCampello turned to Craigslist and it's a move the 29-year-old admits he will never make again for a good reason.
"He said, 'Yo, I'm going to shoot you' and he cocked his pistol," DiCampello said.
The man DiCampello thought was a potential buyer turned out to be an armed robber who shot him in the leg and then ran away with the watch.
The story doesn't end there. DiCampello says it happened in the 1900 block of North Gratz Street where he then went searching for the shooter and found another man holding the stolen goods nearby.
DiCampello explained, "I came up to the gentleman and he was kind of holding the bag back and I snatched the bag. He didn't hesitate to let me grab the bag. Maybe he just thought I was a little crazy, I had blood leaking out of my leg."
DiCampello did eventually call the police and Friday afternoon and police arrested the shooter.
"I'm just really happy that the Central Police Division, the detectives there, they just did a real good job finding this guy," DiCampello added.
Police are now looking for the shooter's two accomplices, including 18-year-old Aleem Reed.
Lt. Ray Evers with the Philadelphia Police Dept. said, "They're meeting these individuals, working a big scam and robbing them at point of gun. Two of the incidents occurred on the 1900 block of North Gratz Street, one on the 1400 block of Jefferson Street."
Police say in each of the incidents, the victims were contacted in reference to an expensive watch, which was placed on Craigslist for sale. The first victim was robbed on August 11, the second victim on August 15, on August 17, DiCampello became the third target.
"It's crazy. I never thought in my life time, I'd be getting shot over selling a watch. I think I'm done selling the watch at this point in time," DiCampello said.
DiCampello, along with the police, now warn others to use caution when meeting buyers or sellers off of Craigslist. Police say always bring along a friend, meet at a public location and if possible arrange to meet at a police station.
Police say anyone with information about Reed's whereabouts can call (215) 686-TIPS.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
