Teen Suspect Arrested After Armed Robbery During Facebook Marketplace Sale In Tulsa

A Green Country man said he was robbed at gunpoint while trying to sell a phone to someone he met on Facebook Marketplace.

Tulsa Police said they caught the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, and found the gun he dumped.

Police said when buying and selling online, you should always meet in a public place where there are lots of people and cameras.

Blake Bowman said he has a new perspective on safety after trying to sell his iPhone on Facebook Marketplace.

He said he should have seen the red flags when talking to a buyer whose profile name was “Huncho” with no real pictures.

"He told me before that his arm was in a sling due to an injury and it was underneath his hoodie,” said Bowman.

He said the buyer also asked him to come to a home near Apache and North Lewis.

"As I got closer to the location, he said that his brother would need to occupy him in the sale because of him being young,” said Bowman. “And then that's when the other pulled the pistol at my face and then they took off and ran with that phone."

He realized he was the victim of a robbery.

"I was kind of dumbfounded,” said Bowman. “I was like, 'Why am I in this situation?' I put my hand up to the individual to kind of get distance, and by that time, they already separated themselves and headed out into an open area."

Lt. Justin Ritter runs Tulsa's robbery unit and said officers caught the 15-year-old boy within minutes.

"I recognize the name,” said Ritter. “I don't think we've arrested him for any other robberies, but unfortunately, a lot of the robberies of this type, we see juveniles are involved in it.

He said the teenager dumped the airsoft gun used in the robbery in a nearby driveway.

"So, the same elements apply whether it's a real or a fake gun,” said Ritter. “It's still an armed robbery."

Bowman said he wants others to learn from his experience and has this message for the young suspect.

"Be mindful of what transpired and get yourself on the right path,” said Bowman.

Police have not arrested the accomplice or found the stolen phone.

We have more personal safety information from Lori Fullbright HERE.