TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)- A 17-year-old who was arrested in connection to several robberies using the mobile app, 'letgo' is now being charged as an adult.
The teen was charged with three counts of armed robbery and was transported to the Leon County Detention Center Thursday.
The state of Florida motioned to prosecute the teen as an adult on Wednesday and the order was granted by a Leon County judge.
His first appearance is set for Friday.
The 17-year-old and a co-defendant, Dezmond Barkley, are accused of meeting victims to exchange items via the 'letgo' app and robbing them at gunpoint.
The state says the 17-year-old has a history with the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Barkley, the co-defendant in this case, has pled not guilty to the charges.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Two people have been arrested in connection to several robberies involving victims using the online mobile marketplace, 'letgo.'
Dezmond G. Barkley, 19, and a 17-year-old are facing felony charges for the string of robberies.
The Tallahassee Police Department says they have been getting calls over the last three days from victims saying they had arranged meetings to sell items using the 'letgo' mobile app.
The incidents occurred at:
-411 Chapel Drive on Jan. 29th
-1700 Joe Louis Street on Jan. 30th
-1575 Paul Russell Road on Jan. 31st
In each case, the victims reported the two arrived at the locations to exchange items for money. Instead, the victims were robbed at gunpoint and their items were stolen.
After an investigation connected the two to the crimes, both were charged with three counts of robbery with a firearm. Additionally, Barkley is a convicted felon in Florida. He has been charged with the possession of a firearm.
Barkley was taken to the Leon County Detention Facility. The 17-year-old was taken to the Leon County Juvenile Assessment Center.
TPD is now warning people to be safe when buying or selling items from online apps or websites like letgo and Craigslist.
They recommend that you follow these tips:
- Meet in a public place, do not meet in a secluded area
- Do not invite strangers into your home and do not go into theirs
- Be cautious when buying or selling high value items
- Do not meet with a buyer or seller alone
- Perform the transaction during daylight hours
