Rochester Police Arrest Suspect for Facebook Marketplace Jewelry Robbery
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing a felony charge for a robbery during a Facebook Marketplace transaction.
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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday.
The court document indicates he is suspected of committing another robbery during a different Facebook Marketplace transaction.
Charges: Man Stole Jewelry, Threatened to Shoot Victim During Attempted Facebook Marketplace Transaction in Rochester
28-year-old George Anthony Barnes is charged with one count of second-degree aggravated robbery.
The criminal complaint says Rochester police responded to reports of a robbery at an unnamed northwest Rochester apartment complex on the afternoon of May 27.
The victim told police they had met Barnes at the complex to sell a diamond necklace and earrings.
After the victim arrived by vehicle Barnes reached into the vehicle, snatched the jewelry and began retreating towards the apartment complex, the charges say.
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The victim demanded money for the jewelry and Barnes reached toward his sweatshirt and threatened to shoot the victim if the victim tried to get the jewelry back, the complaint says. The victim then returned to their vehicle and called the police.
During the investigation, officers tied the account involved in the attempted jewelry sale to Barnes and learned the same account was connected to a previous watch robbery, the court document says.
Two days later, officers arrested Barnes at the apartment complex and found the watch involved in the other reported robbery, the complaint says.
Barnes admitted to owning the account involved in the attempted transactions and the watch robbery, according to the charges.
The complaint does not say what happened to the earrings and necklace and does not say whether or not Barnes was in possession of a firearm. An estimated monetary value for the jewelry is not available.
Bail for Barnes was set at $50,000 Friday. He is due back in court later this month.
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