P.E.I. man facing robbery charges after Facebook Marketplace transaction

A Summerside Police Services vehicle is pictured. (Source: X/Summerside Police Services)

A 25-year-old Summerside, P.E.I., man is facing multiple charges in relation to a Facebook Marketplace purchase on Wednesday.

Summerside Police Services said they received a 911 call reporting a disturbance at a Maple Avenue apartment building around 5:15 p.m. The caller reported a fight in progress where it appeared one person was trying to take something from another.

Police say they attended the scene and located the victim, who reported that they had arranged to sell an article of jewelry to the suspect through a Facebook Marketplace transaction.

“The suspect attended the victim’s residence and allegedly forced his way into the victim’s home and forcibly took the piece of jewelery before fleeing the scene,” read a news release from police.

Officers found and arrested the suspect a short distance from the scene. Police say the man also had a can of bear spray in his possession.

The victim was not injured.

The suspect was held in custody overnight and will appear in court Friday to answer to charges including:

• robbery
• possession of a prohibited weapon
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• breaching a weapons prohibition
• breach of probation

Police are encouraging the public to take the following precautions when making online transactions:

• never invite a stranger to your residence
• never share personal information like your address, phone number, etc.
• always arrange for transactions to take place in well-lit public places, preferably during daylight hours
• if possible, do not go alone
• leave immediately if something feels off about the person or transaction
• never pay before receiving and inspecting the item

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