Park meet up between online seller, buyer ends in armed robbery

Provincial police are reminding people buying or selling items from strangers on the internet to always meet up in a public place after an armed robbery in Waterford.

Norfolk OPP officers swarmed Lingwood Drive after receiving a 911 call about the robbery just after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Two men had agreed to meet at Lingwood Park for the sale of an item listed on Facebook Marketplace. However, when the seller showed up the prospective buyer grabbed the property and took off running. When the seller gave chase the unknown man flashed a firearm at him. He was last seen running east through a wooded area on Lingwood.

Officers with the OPP canine and emergency response units searched the area but were unable to find the suspect.

The man is described as Caucasian, in his early twenties, approximately 5’6, with a thin build and short buzzed hair. He was wearing a black coloured hooded sweater, black pants, a blue coloured mask, and was carrying a shoulder bag which stretched across his chest.

Police said the incident serves as a reminder to the public to always be aware of their personal safety.

“If you are going to purchase items off the internet please make sure you meet up at a public place like a gas station, coffee shop or even the police station for everyone’s safety,” said Acting Sergeant Ed Sanchuk.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com