Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station detectives, along with the Special Assignment Team, assisted with the arrest of a suspect who stole a cellphone during an exchange through a social media forum. The following is from the station’s Facebook page:

On Monday, June 25, at approximately 5:35 PM, a local Santa Clarita man met with another male in order to sell his old cellphone.

The two connected with each other on a social media application/website where items are sold/bought/and traded. Eventually they agreed to meet in Canyon Country. The male attempting to buy the cellphone pushed the victim and ran past a security gate with the victim’s cellphone. Once through the gate, another male quickly slammed the gate shut blocking the victim’s path. The two males suspected of setting up this robbery then fled with the victim’s cell phone in an unknown direction.

The following day, the victim came to Santa Clarita Station and provided information to detectives that led them to believe one of the suspects may be trying to sell the stolen cellphone on the same social media website and in the same area.

Due to the victim’s detailed description of the first suspect, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team (SAT Team) and assisting detectives were able to locate and arrest the suspect on Thursday. They learned the male was a juvenile and the victim’s cellphone was recovered. The other male is still outstanding and this case is an on-going investigation.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station would like to use this incident to remind everyone to be safe when using the internet (social media, applications, and other selling/buying/trading forums) when conducting a transaction.

We have also setup two safe exchange zones for online buyers/sellers to meet to conduct their transactions in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station front lobby doors. The area is painted green and has signs posted designating them as a “Safe Exchange Location” which are under video surveillance.