What was supposed to be a quick way to unload pricey Apple gear turned into a months‑long headache for Miami‑Dade detectives, who say two men were targeting people selling high‑end electronics on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. Sellers reported that supposed buyers asked to “check out” iPhones, iPads and MacBook laptops, then bolted with the merchandise. Police say those arrests came only after a string of similar complaints were pieced together using videos, witness accounts and photo lineups.
Arrests Follow a Miami‑Dade Sting
Investigators identified the suspects as 20‑year‑old Terrell Barry and 22‑year‑old Adrion Courtney Hall. Both were taken into custody on May 5 in a joint sting run by the Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office robbery bureau, according to WSVN. Authorities say the cases stretch from January through April and involve multiple thefts of Apple devices.
Meetups That Turned Into Robberies
Victims told detectives they set up meetings through Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, then were asked to hand over their electronics “just to look at them” before the suspects ran off. In one case, a woman said she and her father drove to 15221 NE Sixth Avenue to sell an iPhone, got a message that someone else would be coming to meet them and then watched the phone disappear, as reported by Local 10. Police say that same basic move played out in several incidents, leaving shaken sellers out hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Evidence and Charges
Detectives said cellphone video, witness statements and photo‑lineup identifications linked one suspect to several of the robberies, and investigators also traced a Facebook profile used in some of the deals to a phone number associated with Hall, according to WSVN. WSVN reports Barry faces multiple felony counts, including robbery by sudden snatching, strong‑arm robbery, burglary of an occupied conveyance and grand theft, while Hall faces a grand‑theft charge in a January case. Investigators say they are still reviewing evidence, and more charges could be added as additional reports are tied together.
Police Warnings and Marketplace Trends
Police told Local 10 the robberies followed a clear pattern and urged sellers to meet potential buyers in crowded public areas or at police stations instead of private addresses. A 2026 fact sheet from Zelle notes that scams tied to social‑media marketplaces are common and advises users to vet profiles carefully, meet in public and avoid sending digital payments before they have inspected an item in person. Local investigators also reminded residents to save messages and videos and to report sketchy behavior as soon as possible.
What to Do If You Were Targeted
Anyone who thinks they were a victim is urged to keep all messages, screenshots, photos and any video related to the attempted sale and contact local police to file a report. Federal officials say you should also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3, and reach out to your bank if money or account information might have been compromised. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the Miami‑Dade cases to contact investigators through the department’s tip line.
