A quick Facebook Marketplace trip for an e-bike turned dangerous for a Las Vegas father and his 14-year-old son when masked teenagers robbed them at gunpoint, taking $1,200. They were unharmed but are warning others about the risks of private online sales.
How the robbery unfolded
Justin Perea and his son, Ryder, told News 3 Las Vegas they had arranged to buy an e-bike for $1,200 through Facebook Marketplace. The seller, who said he was a teenage boy named Mason, directed them to a neighborhood near Durango Drive and Rochelle Avenue, on Rimwood Court, around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.
According to Justin, the seller led them toward a garage, where two other teenagers appeared with guns. Justin shielded his son, handed over the cash, and they left unharmed but without the money or bike.
Justin told News 3 Las Vegas that police later informed the family of similar robberies in the area, indicating it was not an isolated incident.
Victims’ warning
"They had hoods and then masks, so it was so fast they had the guns out," Justin recalled, describing how quickly the meetup shifted from casual to life-threatening.
Ryder, still shaken, had a blunt message for anyone eyeing the same post that drew his family in. "Don't message that ad, don't text them, just leave it be," he told News 3 Las Vegas.
Adding to the family’s unease, they say the same e-bike listing stayed active online even after the robbery. Knowing the ad is apparently still live has only heightened their concern that someone else could fall into the same trap.
Marketplace meetups can be dangerous
Law enforcement agencies warn that online marketplace meetups can be targets for criminals who lure buyers with fake listings and then rob them. The Kansas City Police Department advises residents to meet at police stations or well-lit public areas with cameras, bring another adult, avoid large amounts of cash, and avoid private homes. These precautions can significantly reduce the risk of armed robbery.
How to report and support the family
The Perea family has launched an online fundraiser to cover the stolen $1,200 and related recovery costs. A GoFundMe set up by Justin describes the robbery and says SWAT officers briefly tracked the suspects to a nearby house before the teens slipped away.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at (702) 828-3111 or submit a report online.
The Perea family advises others using Facebook Marketplace to meet in public, well-lit places or at police exchange zones, bring someone with them, and avoid private addresses.
