Craigslist deal ends in robbery in Chilliwack

Chilliwack RCMP is warning people to use care when selling or buying items via social media websites after a man was robbed at knife point and then assaulted in front of the Yale Road Tim Hortons on Thursday night.

Police say the victim, who had posted some electronics for sale Craigslist, was at the coffee shop at about 10:45 p.m. to meet a buyer.

When he got to the parking lot, police say, two men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas approached him from behind.

The first man grabbed and held the victim while the second man, described as six feet tall and 200 pounds, produced a knife and demanded the victim’s wallet.

After the first man grabbed the wallet and took the money in it, the victim was reportedly punched in the face and stomach.

“We are cautioning the general public to use care when arranging to sell items privately through social media websites ” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Len vanNieuwenhuizen said in the press release. “The victim had thought that this was a legitimate transaction”.

Mounties are advising people who sell and buy through social media websites to confirm the identity of the other party, conduct transactions in a safe and known environment, and not to go to transactions alone.

Anyone with information about Thursday’s robbery is asked to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)