Man Selling Laptop Robbed By Buyer

COLUMBIA, MD — A man who planned on selling his laptop to an interested buyer Wednesday afternoon ended up being robbed.

The man told Howard County Police that he had arranged online to sell the laptop and to meet the buyer at a specific location shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the 11500 block of Little Patuxent Parkway.

However, the buyer grabbed the laptop and took off running. Police were able to track the buyer down and arrest him. Barry Osogu, 20, of Gwynn Oak, has been charged with robbery and theft in the case, police reported.

In 2016, the Howard County Police Department implemented a “Transaction Safe Place” program with the goal of providing the safest possible location for residents to meet after arranging to buy or sell items online.

Designated parking spaces, marked with yellow signs, are available for this purpose at the Northern District Station at 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City; and the Southern District Station at 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel. Individuals may can use the lobby of each station.

The designated areas are video-recorded 24 hours a day; however, police encourage residents to conduct transactions during daylight hours. Those who plan to take advantage of the program should be aware that officers can only become involved in a transaction if criminal activity is reported. There will not be officers assigned to stand-by for these exchanges, but if anything criminal were to occur, a resident could walk into the lobby to make a report.

The police department recommends the following tips for a safer sale:

• Don’t agree to meet anyone who refuses to do so at a police station or other public location.
• Never use your home as a meeting location.
• Arrange sales during daylight hours only and don’t go to the meeting location alone.
• Insist on using cash instead of personal checks.