A luxury watch sale in East Flatbush turned into a gunpoint heist in the middle of the afternoon, leaving a 20-year-old seller out thousands of dollars as the would-be buyer sprinted off with the pricey timepiece, police said. The victim was not hurt.
According to News 12 Brooklyn, the robbery unfolded around 2:14 p.m. on May 21 outside 4011 Hubbard Place. Investigators told the outlet the suspect pulled a gun, demanded the watch, then grabbed it and ran. Police estimate the stolen luxury watch was worth about $5,800 and are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
High-end meetups have turned violent elsewhere
Police and consumer watchdogs have repeatedly warned that in-person meetups arranged online can go sideways fast, especially when expensive items are involved. A deadly case tied to a Facebook Marketplace meetup earlier this year underscored the risk, according to KOMU/CNN Newsource. Local authorities say that kind of outcome is rare but a reminder to stay vigilant when dealing in luxury goods.
Police ask for tips
The NYPD's Crime Stoppers program is urging anyone with video or information about the East Flatbush robbery to call the anonymous tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit a tip online, according to the department's Crime Stoppers site. The site notes that tips leading to arrests may be eligible for rewards. Police are also encouraging neighbors and drivers to review doorbell, dashcam, or building security footage from the area for anything that might help the investigation.
Safety steps for sellers and buyers
Online safety guides, including Remitly, advise meeting in busy, well-lit public locations, bringing a friend and confirming who you are dealing with before pulling out any high-value item. They also recommend using traceable payment methods and, when possible, arranging to complete deals at a bank or designated police-station "safe exchange" area. Keeping all messages on the platform so there is a written record can make it easier to report issues if a sale goes wrong.
Investigators have not announced any arrests and the case remains under active review, News 12 Brooklyn reports. Anyone with information about the May 21 incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at the number above.
