Bogus Craigslist Car Ads Lead To Robberies

If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Bogus used car ads on Craigslist have led to three robberies in Fairfax County this month. Two of the robberies occurred at the same location in the Newington area and the third in a wealthy neighborhood in Clifton.

In each incident, two male suspects in dark clothing robbed the victims at gunpoint, but police have not confirmed that the robberies are the work of the same suspects. 

"It looks like a legitimate car ad, but the price does tend to be too good to be true." said Fairfax County Police spokesperson Tawny Wright. "The bottom line is that people are posting ads with criminal intent. It's important for people to respond to these ads in a public place and in the daytime."

The first incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 10 at around 10 p.m. in the area of Pohick Road and Wadebrook Terrace in Newington. The two victims from Maryland, a 39-year-old Hagerstown man and a 34-year-old Temple Hills man, arrived at the location and were met by two men who demanded money. One of the men produced a handgun, and the victims turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. 

On Sunday, Sept. 25, a 41-year-old would-be car buyer from Hagerstowne, MD. was robbed by two masked males at 5:25 p.m. in the 13300 block of Ivakota Farm Road in Clifton. The victim fled the area before the suspects could rob him. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 27, the area of Pohick Road and Wadebrook Terrace was revisited by robbers at around 7:00 p.m. The Virginia State Police is investigating the incident. 

The suspects in the incidents approached the victims on foot and are described as males between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.