Police: Craigslist Deal Turns Into Armed Robbery at Reston Town Center

Police say a sales arrangement through Craigslist turned criminal Tuesday night at Reston Town Center.

According to a report from the Fairfax County Police Department, a Craigslist user agreed to a meeting in the 11900 block of Freedom Drive at about 7:45 p.m. to negotiate the sale of cellphones.

“The suspects arrived and as the victim was showing one suspect a cellphone, another suspect tried to steal the other phones. The victim struggled with the suspects until one of them produced a handgun and threatened the victim. The suspects fled with several phones and the victim was not injured.”

The suspects were described by police as black men, 25-30 years old. One was around 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, and they were both wearing dark clothing. The suspects left the scene in a silver Mercedes Benz sedan, according to the report.

Fairfax County police began offering a “safe zone” for Craigslist exchanges at the Sully District Station last year; at the time, police said the program “would likely expand to other police station parking lots” in the future.

The Herndon Police Station also offers a “safe zone” for such transactions.