A 21-year-old man has been arrested in Rochester, New York, after authorities accused him of robbing a buyer during an online car sale arranged through Facebook Marketplace and later leading police on a chase.
According to the Rochester Police Department, Jahsin Robinson arranged on February 25 to sell a vehicle to a buyer for approximately $3,200 through the online marketplace. The two agreed to meet on Green Knolls Drive to complete the transaction.
Investigators say that during the meeting Robinson allegedly threatened the buyer with what appeared to be a handgun and took the victim’s cash. After taking the money, he fled the scene in the same vehicle he had offered to sell.
Authorities later located Robinson on Wednesday night when members of the United States Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force spotted him driving a white Mercedes-Benz. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but Robinson allegedly fled, triggering a car chase followed by a foot pursuit.
Police said Robinson was eventually taken into custody near North Clinton Avenue and Upper Falls Boulevard without further incident.
Robinson has been charged with robbery and grand larceny. He was transported to the Monroe County Jail and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning. Authorities said additional charges related to the pursuit may be filed by the New York State Police.
The case comes as law enforcement agencies continue warning residents about online marketplace scams involving vehicle sales.
Recently, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office reported a similar incident in which a buyer from East Bloomfield purchased a Chevrolet Impala online in December using cash. Weeks later, the car was repossessed after authorities discovered it had been sold while in loan default.
In that case, investigators arrested Ulises Hernandez Jr., who was later taken into custody by the Manlius Police Department in Syracuse on similar charges.
Police in Irondequoit have also reported robberies linked to online vehicle sales. To improve safety, the Irondequoit Police Department has established designated e-commerce exchange safety zones outside its station. These areas are monitored by surveillance cameras around the clock and are well-lit to provide a secure place for buyers and sellers to complete transactions.
