Police Arrest Teen In Connection With Craigslist Robberies
GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ/ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY POLICE) --Anne Arundel County Police have arrested a 17-year-old suspect they say is behind multiple Craigslist robberies.
During the past week, several victims have been robbed of their money and cell phones by a Craigslist seller.
Police say the victims responded to a Craigslist post that offered the iPhone 5 and met Jacob Patrick Valentine in front of George Cromwell Elementary School in Glen Burnie.
Police say the suspect pulled out what appeared to be a handgun and robbed the victims of their money and phones.
In one case on Saturday, Valentine discharged a pellet from a pellet gun, missing the victim and striking his vehicle's rearview mirror.
In another recent case, a 30-year-old male victim came forward and reported being a victim in a similar situation on July 29.
In that incident, the victim went to the elementary school to meet the seller of an iPhone from the same online advertisement when the suspect pulled out a gun and demanded the victim's money and phone.
The victim complied and the suspect ran away.
Detectives posing as a potential buyer responded to the same Craigslist post. The suspect agreed to sell the iPhone and suggested that they meet in front of the elementary school Monday night.
At the school, Valentine approached the undercover detective and pulled out what looked like a black semi-automatic handgun in an attempt to rob him.
Additional detectives responded and the suspect tried to run away. Valentine was then arrested,
An inspection of the handgun revealed it to be a pellet gun fashioned as a convincing replica of a semi-automatic firearm.
Police say the suspect had six additional appointments set up through the same Craigslist advertisement.
The suspect was charged as an adult with multiple counts of armed robbery.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Anne Arundel County Police at 410-222-6135.
