Four men arrested after robbery attempts set up through online ads
Posted May 25, 2022 4:59 pm.
Last Updated May 25, 2022 5:14 pm.
Montreal police say four men posing as interested buyers of items found online were arrested in connection with two separate, unrelated burglary attempts in Pierrefonds-Roxboro.
The four men were arrested for attempted robbery after police say they posed as interested buyers, then attempted to steal the items.
The first two suspects allegedly acted as buyers of a vehicle. During the test drive, police say they pepper sprayed the victim in a botched attempt to steal the vehicle. Unsuccessful, both suspects fled from the scene on foot.
The other two suspects also allegedly acted as potential buyers of electronic equipment they had seen on an online listing.
Police allege they met with the victim, threatened they had a gun, then successfully stole the equipment before fleeing the scene.
All four men are now facing charges of robbery, carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and conspiracy.
Though both incidents are similar in nature, the SPVM believes they are not related.
Montreal police say there are four safe zones for transactions on the island of Montreal, one of which is across from Police Station 4 in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (4139 Blvd. des Sources).
The SPVM says there are a few ways people can protect themselves from fraud or theft from online listings, including not buying a product if the price seems too good to be true, identifying the person before meeting them, scheduling a transaction in a public area preferably with cameras, bringing someone trustworthy along, and favouring electronic payments.
