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Police see increase in robberies in Indianapolis involving buying and selling apps since Jan. 1

Posted at 12:44 AM, Jan 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-19 01:56:48-05

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says they've seen an increase since the first of the year in robberies involving buying and selling apps like "OfferUp."  

"What we've been tracking, we are looking at over nine this year alone. That is a statistic that for us, that's a clue, that's our red herring. That something where we are like, wait a second there," said Sgt. Christopher Wilburn, IMPD.

Melissa Buergelin and her husband used "OfferUp" to try and sell their washing machine.

They were sitting the their car in the parking lot of a Taco Bell on Indianapolis' west side when the person they were supposed to be meeting robbed them at gunpoint.

"He said put your effing hands up and give me all of your money. I thought he was going to shoot us, I really did," said Buergelin.

Buerglin says the suspect blocked them in with his gun drawn.

"I was scared and I saw my life flash before my eyes. I thought about my family, my son. I have a son in college and I was thinking about him like, oh my gosh, he's going to have to live without his mother," said Buerglin.

Buergelin said the suspect took $130 in cash and her debit card, and then followed the couple as they left the parking lot.

Indianapolis Metro Police have the following tips if you are conducting a transaction with someone in person:

  • We have e-commerce designated safe areas at each of our roll call sites.
  • Try to establish credibility of the buyer/seller by requesting a picture of them, their license and or vehicle description (they can always block their address information, but seeing a valid ID will help deter the would be criminal).
  • Meet during daylight hours or in a well-lit area with a lot of foot/vehicular traffic in the parking lot.
  • Don’t go by yourself. Have someone with you and have a safety plan in place.
  • If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, don’t fall for scams or be lured into an area you’re not comfortable with.
  • Let someone you know and trust know where you are at and check in periodically.
  • Dial 911 immediately at the first sign of trouble.

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