COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--A juvenile is now in custody for a robbery that occurred when the victim tried to meet in-person to complete an online sales transaction.
Police say the teenager was taken into custody Saturday for the incident from March 1st. That's when the teen lured the victim to the area in the 1100 block of East 21st Avenue.
The victim answered an ad for an iPhone for sale, and agreed to meet the suspect, who originally showed him the phone, but then put it away and pulled out a handgun.
The suspect took the victim's money and cell phone.
Officers obtained search warrants and began searching home the teen was known to reside. The teen was taken into custody without further incident.
Columbus Police have reported a spike in the number of robberies stemming from online transactions, and officers are reminding residents never to agree to meet in an unfamiliar location, and there are five different internet exchange zones at police substations across the city for transactions to be completed, with the backup of surveillance.