Person Robbed At Gunpoint During Facebook Marketplace Meetup At Danbury Mall: Police

DANBURY, CT — A person was robbed Saturday at the Danbury Fair Mall during a meetup to purchase an item listed on Facebook Marketplace, according to police.

In a news release, police said the person reported the mall was chosen as a meeting place to purchase a gold necklace from a seller who listed the item on Facebook Marketplace.

According to police, the two met and went to one of their cars, at which point the person was robbed of approximately $6000, which they had brought to purchase the necklace.

The person also reported the suspect displayed a handgun during the robbery and threatened to kill them, according to police.

Police noted they are investigating the incident and following up on leads.

"The public should know that most police departments allow their property to be used for legitimate property transfers," police said in a news release, "as these transfers are well monitored by video and the potential of a police officer being in the area."

In a message posted to Facebook on Monday, Mayor Roberto Alves reminded residents the Danbury Police Department's headquarters has a designated safe zone for Facebook Marketplace and e-commerce transactions.

According to Alves, the space was designed nearly ten years ago to help prevent common crimes reported across the state and country.

"We recommend you always avoid using your home address or neighborhood for pick-ups," Alves wrote on Facebook. "Choosing a public, well-lit place is a safer option, but we strongly encourage you to use the police department lot where we have surveillance and officers nearby. Pay attention if your conversations feel off, or someone refuses to meet you at the police department. And if you're not local to Danbury, check with your local police station as they may also allow e-commerce transactions in their parking lots."