A Moreno Valley man was beaten and robbed by three men who lured him to a location on the pretext of purchasing his electronic equipment but took the goods at gunpoint instead, then fled, authorities said Monday.
The robbery occurred about 10:30 p.m. Sunday in the 24000 block of Fir Avenue, near Heacock Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The agency said the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, listed a PlayStation 5 for sale via the online marketplace OfferUp and was contacted by a man who claimed to be interested in purchasing it.
A meeting was arranged to complete the sales transaction not far from the victim’s home.
“When the potential buyer arrived, he and two friends demanded the gaming console from the victim at gunpoint,” the sheriff’s department stated. “The suspects ultimately removed the PS5 from the victim’s vehicle and pistol-whipped the victim before fleeing the location on foot.”
The seller suffered minor injuries, and it was unclear whether he required hospital treatment.
The robbers were described as three men wearing ski masks and dark clothing, with one of them wielding an unknown-type handgun. No other details were available.
“The suspects were unknown to the victim, and the app-based messages between the one suspect and victim are no longer accessible,” according to the sheriff’s department.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff’s Moreno Valley station at 951-486-6700.
Sheriff’s officials have in the past pointed to the importance of residents utilizing designated “safe exchange” locations, such as the parking lot of the sheriff’s station, to conduct private sales transactions.