APPLE VALLEY – Authorities are seeking the identity of two suspects who were involved in a strong-armed robbery and an armed robbery in Apple Valley.
Both incidents began with a sales app. Contacts, one on “OfferUp” and the second on “LetGo”. On Saturday, September 15, 2018, at around 4:06 p.m., deputies responded to the 21000 block of Bear Valley Road. The victim told authorities that he said that he was selling an Apple iPhone X on “OfferUP” when a person stating his name was “Mike Willis” contacted him to arrange to meet. The two arranged to meet in the parking lot of Six Beans Coffee Company, located at 21788 Bear Valley Road.
The victim arrived at the agreed upon location when a white male arrived. The victim handed the suspect his phone. After handing him the phone, a black male came out from behind a dumpster with a handgun. He pointed the handgun at the suspect and told the victim not to follow them. Both of the suspects fled on foot toward the 12000 block of Navajo Road.
The following afternoon, at around 1:53 p.m. deputies from the Apple Valley station responded to the 12000 block of Navajo Road for a report of a strong-arm robbery. The victim told deputies that he listed an Apple Watch on “LetGo”. The suspect, who identified himself as “David Lopez” agreed to meet with the victim to discuss the purchase the watch. He arrived with his wife and a black male approached them. He forcefully grabbed the watch from the victim’s hands. He told the victim not to follow and fled on foot north on Navajo Road.
The public is encouraged to use caution when arranging to meet an unknown person to sell any items listed on Craigslist, Offer Up, Let Go or similar websites.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to contact the Apple Valley Station at (760) 240-7400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com
