Hamilton Police would like to warn the Hamilton community to be extra careful when arranging exchange locations for merchandise being sold from online buy and sell sites. Police have received two incidents in the Hamilton area where people have been targeted for their merchandise during a transaction.

On January 6, 2019, Hamilton Police received a call from a 22-year-old victim stating he had been robbed by gunpoint while making a Kijiji sales transaction in the rear of a vehicle. The victim was selling his coat online and made arrangements to meet up with a buyer at the intersection of Goulding Avenue and Scenic Road, Hamilton shortly before 8:30 p.m. The victim sat in the back seat and had a handgun pointed towards him while demand was made to hand over his jacket and cell phone. The victim complied and was then pistol-whipped before he was able to exit the car.

Earlier that same day, a similar occurrence was reported from the parking lot of 977 Golf Links Road, Ancaster. A 21-year-old Ancaster male attended the parking lot shortly after 5:00 p.m., to sell his iPhone. The male was suspicious and refused to sit in the backseat of the buyer’s vehicle to do the transaction so the unknown males left without further incident.

At this time, Police believe the two incidents may be related.

Suspect #1 – Male black, 20-25-years, 5’11ft, 140 lbs, short braided dreadlocks. Wearing dark jogging pants and thin style hoodie.

Suspect #2 – Male black, 20-25-years, 6’3ft, 200-250 lbs, husky build and shorter black hair wearing a dark jacket.

Suspect #3 – Male black, 6’ft, stocky build, shorter black hair

The males were driving a dark colour 4-door SUV, similar to a Ford Escape or a Honda CRV.

Hamilton Police would like to encourage the public to take precautions when dealing with online sales transactions. Identify a safe, well-lit location, preferably in a public facility with security or cameras available and take a second person with you. Be wary of last minute changes to an agreed upon meeting location and never meet someone in a private location that is unfamiliar to you, or have people you do not know attend your home.

If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime you are asked to contact Detective Constable Tracey Constable from the Division 3 Criminal Investigation Unit at (905)546-8965.

If the suspects or vehicle are located, Police are asking the public not to approach and contact 911 immediately.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com