Roanoke Man Arrested and Charged in Online Marketplace Robbery

ROANOKE, VA — A Roanoke man has been arrested and charged with robbery following a meeting arranged through an online marketplace transaction that turned into a theft by force, according to the Roanoke Police Department.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Police state that the victim and the suspect had arranged to meet at a parking lot in Roanoke to complete the sale of an electronic device advertised on a popular digital marketplace. However, instead of exchanging payment for the item, the suspect allegedly threatened the victim, took the item by force, and fled the area.

Following a rapid investigation, officers were able to identify the suspect as a local Roanoke resident. He was located and taken into custody later that evening without incident. The suspect has been booked into the Roanoke City Jail and faces charges of robbery and grand larceny.

Safety Tips for Online Transactions

In light of this incident, police are reminding the public to exercise caution when meeting strangers for online marketplace transactions. Safety recommendations include:

• Always meet in a well-lit, public location, preferably a designated "Safe Exchange Zone" at a local police department.
• Never invite buyers or sellers to your home or go to theirs.
• Avoid conducting transactions alone; bring a friend or family member along.
• Be suspicious of transactions where the other party changes the meeting location at the last minute.