A 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday for allegedly robbing a juvenile at gunpoint during an online marketplace sale in Norwalk.
Officers responded to a report of the robbery in the area of 81 Winfield St. just after 12:20 p.m., according to Lt. Tomasz Podgorski of the Norwalk Police Department.
The victim told police that they had arranged the sale of a pair of jeans through SnapChat. When they met to carry out the sale, the victim said the other individual tried paying with counterfeit money, which led to an altercation, according to Podgorski.
The individual then allegedly took out a black handgun and fled with the jeans, Podgorski said. No injuries were reported.
A description of the suspect was put out to other officers in the area before he was located at his residence, Podgorski said. He was allegedly wearing the stolen jeans, according to Podgorski.
Police searched the teen’s home and allegedly found a 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P handgun and a magazine, Podgorski said.
The 16-year-old was taken into custody and charged with first-degree robbery, carrying a pistol without a permit, risk of injury, negligent storage of a firearm and sixth-degree larceny. He was expected to face a judge on Monday.
“The Norwalk Police Department reminds residents to use caution when buying and selling items through online marketplaces or social media platforms,” Podgorski said in a statement.
Podgorski said police offer an E-Commerce Safe Zone for online transactions at the police department at 1 Monroe St.
“This designated area provides a safer location for residents to complete transactions and helps reduce the risk of theft or violence,” he said.