COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. – (May 31, 2018) – The Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office partnered on an investigation involving a robbery/assault of a victim who was attempting to purchase an iPhone 7 off the online classified site, “Letgo.”
The victim saw an ad for the phone and contacted the seller. An agreement was made to meet on May 16, 2018 in the 4000 block of Main Street NE, in Columbia Heights, the victim was unfamiliar with this residential area, but was interested in buying the phone. When the victim met the “sellers” that day, the victim was severely beaten and robbed of his money and personal items. As a result, the victim sustained a broken nose and numerous cuts and bruises.
The suspects fled the area in a two-toned white SUV.
The Columbia Heights Police and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office joined forces to investigate the robbery. Video surveillance provided valuable information about the suspect vehicle, which was a distinct two-tone Infinity QX4. A vehicle matching that description led to the identification of several possible suspects. Also, the Detectives noted that the same photo of a phone was still being utilized for a classified ad on “Letgo.” Detectives contacted the “seller” of that phone, and the “seller” requested to meet in Lomianki Park in Columbia Heights.
Officers from the Columbia Heights Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office set up on the area and saw that two previously identified suspects were already waiting. A Detective from the Sheriff’s Office approached the two suspects and they indicated they had the phone. The Detective and back up officers immediately took the suspects into custody, finding that one of them had a pellet pistol in his waistband.
Arrested were:
- Marcus Monteze Western of Columbia Heights (pictured at left)
- Johnathan Jabari Johnson of Fridley (pictured at right)
Both suspects have since been formally charged with Simple Robbery and felony Assault in the Third Degree.
The Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and many other law enforcement agencies provide designated “Exchange Zone” areas at their facilities that are monitored by video camera for an added layer of protection when conducting online classified advertising transactions. While these “Exchange Zones” cannot provide absolute protection, meeting at a law enforcement area that is under video surveillance could possible deter a would-be robber from committing the crime. We encourage the public to take advantage of these areas and even encourage people to meet inside the lobby of our facility if your transaction is during our normal business hours. Never meet a seller or buyer in an unfamiliar residential area if it’s at all possible.
“Online sale websites are very convenient for sellers and buyers, but they also can create opportunities for criminals. We strongly encourage everyone using these sites to make their transactions at a law enforcement exchange zone, because this small step will negate most criminal opportunities,” said Columbia Heights Police Chief Lenny Austin.
Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart added, “I am very happy that the collaborative law enforcement efforts in this case were able to shut down the ongoing criminal activity of the suspects. Sadly, there are many people who would rather victimize others than be productive members of society. Because of that reality, we have created safe “Exchange zones” for the public to use and encourage our citizens to take advantage of these areas that can increase the likelihood of a safer transaction. The safety of our citizens is always our number one priority.”
The Columbia Heights Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office both have designated “Exchange Zones” under 24-hour video surveillance in the parking lots of their main campuses. Many other law enforcement agencies provide this service to citizens also. Please consider conducting your transactions at one of this law enforcement sponsored spots.
