A Covington man's quest for romance turned into a harrowing tale of deception and robbery, as detailed by local authorities. On the evening of July 4, an individual was lured to the Sunrise Apartments on Simonton Street for what he believed would be a date with a woman he met on Facebook named "Ariel." However, upon his arrival, he was confronted by a male assailant, identified by police as 27-year-old Demarieo Howard, who demanded money at gunpoint.
According to the Action News 5 report, the victim, who had been expecting to celebrate July 4th festivities with his date, was coerced into sending $500 to the attacker's Apple Pay account. The nightmare didn't end there, as the assailant continued to threaten the victim via text messages, demanding an additional $500 daily and sending photos of the victim's residence as a form of intimidation, the victim's compliance was enforced through a chilling threat of harm.
Swift action by the Covington Police Department resulted in the apprehension of Howard, linking him to the crime when his cell phone was rung by detectives, it was found to match the number that had threatened the victim. As detailed by the Local Memphis coverage, Howard faces charges including aggravated robbery and aggravated assault with no injury, and his bond has been set at $150,000.
Chief Donna Turner of the Covington Police Department commented on the incident, stating, "This scam did not work out for the suspects involved in this violent incident." Further emphasizing the importance of caution when meeting strangers from the internet, Turner advised, "Meet new friends and people in public places or safe spaces where the chances of becoming a victim are reduced to help ensure everyone’s safety," as quoted by both Local Memphis and Action News 5.
Residents with any information pertaining to this case, or who believe they might have fallen victim to a similar scam, are urged to contact the CPD Criminal Investigations Division.
