TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - Police are warning folks about the potential dangers of selling items online after a Sandusky man says he was shot when trying to buy a video game system advertised on Craigslist.
Robert Graves, 25, and two friends drove to Toledo Monday night to pick up the PlayStation 3 he found from a seller named Chris.
However, when the group arrived to meet the man in the 900 block of Buckingham in south Toledo just before 9 p.m., Graves says Chris pulled a gun and demanded money.
When Graves drove off, he says Chris fired the gun twice. One bullet hit the car and the other went through Graves' leg.
Consequently, Graves called police and Chris got away.
Detectives say they are still checking into what happened, but acknowledge that more criminals are using the popular site as a tool to lure victims.
Toledo Police Sergeant Phil Toney has some tips for staying safe when purchasing items on sites like Craigslist:
- If it is too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for unbelievably low prices.
- Bring friends along on Craigslist transactions.
- Never meet the seller or buyer in secluded areas.
- Always meet in public places.
Additionally, police say folks should write down as much information as possible about the person they plan to meet.
Also, investigators say it is much easier to pick up any red flags if the buyer has emailed or called the seller several times.
"If you get the feeling something is not quite right, you should back off," said Toney. "How bad do you really need that item you're trying to buy?"
