Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn was joined by Buffalo Police Department Captain Jeff Rinaldo to warn the public about an increase in robberies and larcenies that have occurred during exchanges arranged through online marketplaces. While Craigslist and apps like “LetGo” and “OfferUp” have become a popular and convenient way to buy and sell goods, law enforcement warns that you could be at-risk of becoming a victim of crime while making these transactions.

Since July 2018, there have been 18 social marketplace-related robberies reported to the Buffalo Police Department. Often times, the perpetrators will use a fake account to lure the victim to a meet-up location. While police continue to investigate many of these incidents, several arrests have been made.

Tyquan Demonia, 19, of Buffalo was arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia on a seven-count indictment, charging him with one count of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class “B” felony, and six counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, Class “E” felonies, on February 15, 2019.

Between June 30 and July 25, 2018, the defendant allegedly committed a series of robberies and larcenies on North Parade Street in the City of Buffalo by luring victims using various social marketplace and dating apps.

One victim met the defendant through Craigslist to sell a ring. When the victim showed the defendant the ring, he grabbed it out of her hand and pulled her engagement ring off her finger, running off with both pieces of jewelry. Another victim met the defendant through the app “LetGo” to sell BB guns. The defendant is accused of snatching the items and fleeing the scene.

In two other incidents, the victims met the defendant through the dating apps “Skout” and “Meet Me.” When the defendant would enter the victim’s vehicle for the arranged date, he allegedly stole their purses and fled. The defendant is accused of displaying what appeared to be a handgun in one of the incidents.

Demonia is scheduled to appear on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. for a hearing. If convicted on the robbery charge, he faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.

Jerwan Stone, III, 21, of Buffalo was arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns on an indictment charging him with two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, Class “C” felonies, on February 11, 2019.

On October 30, 2017, at approximately 3 p.m., the defendant allegedly robbed a juvenile victim who was contacted through the app “OfferUp.” The victim went to Tremaine Avenue in the Village of Kenmore to sell jeans and a pair of sneakers to the defendant. The defendant allegedly grabbed the victim, punched him in the face and stole the items.

Stone is scheduled to return on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. If convicted on the charges, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

His co-defendant, 19-year-old Jose Michel of Buffalo, pleaded guilty on January 10, 2019 to one count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class “D” felony, for his involvement in the crime. He faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 12, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.

An 18-year-old defendant from Buffalo pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class “D” felony, on February 1, 2019. The defendant admitted to robbing the victim during an exchange arranged through the app “LetGo.”

On November 19, 2018, at approximately 4:40 p.m., the victim arrived at a residence on Hewitt Avenue in the City of Buffalo to purchase an iPhone for $300. When the defendant approached the victim’s vehicle, he handed the victim a phone box. As the victim opened the box, the defendant displayed a handgun, demanded the money and fled the scene with the victim’s $300.

The defendant, whose name will not be released due to youthful offender status, faces a maximum on 4 years in prison when he is sentenced in early April.

“While social media sale sites have opened up an entirely new marketplaces in our community, the Buffalo Police Department urges people to exercise caution while buying or selling items,” said Captain Jeff Rinaldo.

To avoid becoming a victim of a crime when meeting a buyer or seller through an app, the Buffalo Police Department suggests that you:

• Always arrange exchanges in a public space such as the lobby of a police station, preferably a location with witnesses and security cameras.
• Never go alone to a meet-up location.
• Avoid scheduling meet-ups at night.
• Do not reveal personal information.
• Always inspect or test the product before you exchange money.
• Bring a cell phone to contact law enforcement if you are victimized to quickly report the incident.
• Trust your instincts. If it is too good to be true, it probably is. 

“Not only do I want people to be proactive about their safety, I want the perpetrators to know that if you use these apps to commit crimes, you will be found and you will be prosecuted by my office,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn. “I want to thank the Buffalo Police Department for investigating these crimes and allowing the public to use the lobby of district stations as a meeting location for these exchanges to be conducted safely.”