A sneaker sale gone awry in Columbia Heights ended with a juvenile in cuffs, the Metropolitan Police Department reported. On March 17th, supposed buyers turned robbers pulled a gun on a sneaker seller. The victim, who had arranged to meet the suspects in the 1400 block of Belmont Street, NW to sell a pair of kicks, was forced to hand over his property at gunpoint.
After a nearly month-long investigation, cops arrested a 16-year-old boy from Northwest, slapping him with an armed robbery charge on Wednesday, the department said. The juvenile, whose name hasn't been released due to his age, allegedly flashed what turned out to be a BB gun during the March confrontation, terrorizing the victim before hightailing it on a scooter.
The police are continuing to dig into the case, looking for a second suspect. They're doling out up to $10,000 for information leading to a conviction of the second hoodlum involved in the Columbian Heights heist. Got a tip? Give the Metropolitan Police Department a ring at (202) 727-9099, or shoot a text over to their TEXT TIP LINE at 50411, but don't try to be a hero and confront anyone yourself.
For those citizens wheeling and dealing on online marketplaces, the cops are pushing the use of Safe Exchange Zones. These zones are tucked around various police stations throughout the district, providing a secure spot for folks to trade goods and cash. In a statement released by the department, officials stress the importance of playing it safe, especially with those sketchy types who balk at the idea of meeting at these secure sites.
If you're all set to swap your swag with a stranger, consider one of the following MPD Safe Exchange Zone locations for some added peace of mind:
- First District Station: 101 M Street SW
- Second District Station: 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
- Third District Station: 1620 V Street NW
- Fourth District Station: 6001 Georgia Avenue NW
- Fifth District Station: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
- Sixth District Station: 5002 Hayes Street NE
- Seventh District Station: 2455 Alabama Avenue SE
- Special Operations Division’s Harbor Patrol: 550 Water Street SW
