A man and woman meeting up to sell an item to another man ended up being robbed at gunpoint in North Long Beach Friday shortly before 9:30 p.m., authorities said.
When the male victim met the expected buyer near Obispo Avenue and 69th Street in North Long Beach, the buyer pointed a handgun at him and demanded money, Long Beach Police Officer Alvino Herrera said. The victim was able to run away and ask a nearby business to call police, he said.
“After the victim ran away, the suspect approached his vehicle and demanded money from a female adult passenger that was sitting inside,” Herrera said. “The passenger gave the suspect her wallet and drove off after he fled.”
Neither victim was hurt during the incident.
Herrera said people arranging to meet up to sell items should always keep records of their communication, pick well-lit, high-traffic places such as restaurants or safe-exchange locations—like the West Division Police Sub Station—and agree on a reasonable time for the exchange.
Police declined to say what the item for sale was Friday night.