Harsh Reality - Online Sellers Pistol Whipped When Meeting ‘Buyers’ in Person
By Staff Reporter
Queens Voice
April 6, 2026
QUEENS, NY - A pair of online merchants looking to sell their items in person were pistol whipped and robbed at gunpoint, cops said. Now investigators are urging people to use caution when trying to meet buyers in person whom they met online.
According to police, the robbery occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, at approximately 7:24 PM, near 82 Street and Clemente Court in Queens. Two victims—a 25-year-old man and a 27-year-old man—had arranged to meet with two individuals to sell items they had listed online.
What began as a routine transaction quickly escalated into a dangerous situation.
Authorities report that once the meeting took place, the two unidentified individuals displayed firearms and pointed them at the victims, turning the encounter into an armed robbery. One of the suspects then struck the 25-year-old victim in the head with a firearm, causing minor injuries.
The suspects proceeded to forcibly remove property from both victims before fleeing the scene. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.
Emergency responders confirmed that the victims sustained minor injuries as a result of the attack. While no life-threatening injuries were reported, the incident underscores the risks associated with in-person exchanges arranged through online platforms.
Police have released descriptions of the two individuals they are seeking. The fist suspect is described as a male with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes.
The second suspect is also described as a male with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black shoes.
Authorities have also shared media images of the suspects in hopes that members of the public may recognize them.
The NYPD is actively investigating the robbery and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Public tips can play a critical role in identifying suspects and preventing similar incidents.
This case also serves as a reminder for New Yorkers to take precautions when arranging meetups for online sales. Police recommend conducting transactions in well-lit, populated areas or designated safe exchange zones, and avoiding carrying large amounts of cash.
As online marketplaces continue to grow in popularity, incidents like this highlight the importance of awareness and safety planning. Searches for terms like “armed robbery during Facebook Marketplace meetup NYC” and “Queens online sale robbery suspects wanted” have increased, reflecting heightened public concern.
Law enforcement officials continue to emphasize vigilance and community cooperation as key tools in addressing crime across the city.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.
All calls are confidential.
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