City of Columbia Missouri

P.O. BOX 6015
COLUMBIA, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2018

CONTACT: Steven Sapp
Community Relations Director
City of Columbia Missouri
573.874.7257
[email protected]

Columbia Police urges residents to use caution when meeting strangers to buy, sell items

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The Columbia Police Department would like to remind residents to use caution when buying or selling items online and meeting someone in person to exchange money for the item.

The reminder comes after two armed robberies occurred in different locations on the evening of Sept. 25. Both victims met with sellers of Xbox gaming systems, which were advertised on Facebook Marketplace. Both victims were robbed at gunpoint of cash and one was also robbed of a cell phone. It’s unknown at this time if the two incidents are related.

Community members are welcome to use the lobby of the police station at the corner of Sixth and Walnut to meet strangers for buying and selling items. The lobby area is well lit and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CPD encourages residents to meet buyers and sellers in a very well lit and very public place.

The investigations of both incidents are ongoing.


Case numbers 2018-010761 and 2018-010763


City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

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