ROCHESTER, MN — George Anthony Barnes, 28, has been charged with second-degree aggravated robbery following a violent incident during a Facebook Marketplace transaction.
According to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Olmsted County Court, Barnes is suspected of committing two robberies connected to Facebook Marketplace sales.
On the afternoon of May 27, Rochester police responded to reports of a robbery at a northwest Rochester apartment complex. The victim told officers they had arranged to sell Barnes a diamond necklace and earrings. After arriving, Barnes allegedly reached into the victim’s vehicle, grabbed the jewelry, and began retreating.
When the victim demanded payment, Barnes reportedly threatened to shoot the victim if they tried to retrieve the jewelry. The victim then called police.
Further investigation linked Barnes to a previous robbery involving a watch through the same Facebook account used in the jewelry incident. Barnes was arrested two days later at the apartment complex, where officers recovered the stolen watch.
Barnes admitted ownership of the account tied to the crimes. The complaint does not clarify the whereabouts of the necklace and earrings or confirm whether Barnes was armed. Bail was set at $50,000, and Barnes is scheduled for a court appearance later this month.
