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Chicago robbers posted Facebook Marketplace ad, robbed would-be buyers at gunpoint

Police warn of Facebook Marketplace robbery scam in Chicago
Police warn of Facebook Marketplace robbery scam in Chicago 00:24

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago Police have issued a community alert after two robberies in which the victims were trying to buy a dirt bike or motorcycle through Facebook Marketplace.

Both robberies happened this past Saturday in the Englewood neighborhood. Police said in both incidents, the robbers set up a sale using the name "Malik Green" to sell "Dirt Bike" or "Motorcycle" at a great price.

When the victims arrived for the sale, two masked robbers came up and took them to a nearby alley – where the robbers demanded the victims' cash and cellphones at gunpoint, police said.

The robberies both happened Saturday, Jan. 20, a city block apart in Englewood. The first happened at 4:40 p.m. that day in the 6700 block of South Elizabeth Street, the second at 5:13 p.m. that evening in the 6700 block of South Ada Street.

Police said one robber was wearing a green jacket, another a purple jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wentworth Area detectives at 312-747-8380.

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