DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona Beach police are urging online marketplace users to make exchanges in safe locations after a woman invited a purported seller to her home only to be assaulted and robbed moments later.
It happened on June 21 after the seller — an unidentified man who was allegedly selling a phone online — arrived at the woman’s home and was ultimately turned away as the woman declined to make the purchase, police said. The suspect then broke into the woman’s home, stole $500 in cash and physically assaulted her before running off, according to the police department.
Police shared surveillance footage on social media showing the suspect mulling about outside of the woman’s house, then running away.
The suspect, who police have yet to identify, was described as a Black man in his 20s.
In the post, police said the crime was preventable in that there are designated safe exchange locations available for such online purchases.
This is a preventable crime. If you are buying or selling items through an online marketplace, please utilize a designated safe exchange location, such as the Daytona Beach Police Department. Signs are clearly posted in well-lit areas of our parking lot and there’s 24-hour video recording.
Remember these precautions to ensure a safe experience:
• Meet in Public Places: Always meet in well-lit, public areas.
• Never share your home address.
• Don’t Go Alone: Bring a friend or relative with you during the exchange. Safety in numbers!
Daytona Beach Police Department on Facebook, 2:51 p.m. July 1, 2024 (excerpt)
Anyone with information about the incident or who may recognize the suspect is asked to contact the police department at 386-671-5200.
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