Man Used Letgo App to Lure Robbery Victims: Police

LAKELAND, FL — An 18-year-old Lakeland man faces armed robbery charges after police say he pointed a gun at two people interested in buying a Chevrolet Impala he listed for sale on the letgo app.

The case against Jarquez Tyriq Harris began to unfold around 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 when a man and his brother arranged to buy Harris’ car, according to the Lakeland Police Department. The two men met with Harris at the Lakewood Terrace Apartments to talk about the potential sale.

“After discussing the sale of the vehicle, James Few showed Harris $1,000 in cash, and agreed to purchase the vehicle,” an email from the police department said. While in the backseat of the victim’s car, Harris is accused of pulling out a small semi-automatic handgun and pointing it at both men.

“Harris demanded the money and counted down from five, but did not shoot the handgun,” the email said. He then took off without the money, police noted.

When the two brothers reported the alleged crime, detectives created their own letgo profile, the email said. It didn’t take long for them to find Harris and begin talking about the sale of a vehicle, the email said. After a few days, Harris reportedly agreed to meet the undercover detectives as the Lakewood Terrace Apartments. When he arrived, detectives noted Harris matched the description the victims gave down to a distinctive Florida State University maroon sweatshirt.

“Detectives made contact with Harris and he later admitted to the attempted robbery,” the email said.

Harris was charged with two counts of robbery with a firearm earlier this week. His arrest was announced Friday.

Booking photo courtesy of the Lakeland Police Department