PGPD Arrests Suspects Who Targeted Victims on Craigslist Four Robberies Reported in Six Days

Update June 19, 2015:  News conference on arrests linked to Craigslist robberies

Many of us have turned to the popular classified ad website, Craigslist, to buy or sell an item and the transaction goes off without a hitch. But, in just six days earlier this month in our county, three victims reported being targeted after placing ads on Craigslist to sell their iPhones. In each case, the victim met up with someone claiming to be an interested buyer. Instead, suspects robbed the victims at gunpoint. A fourth victim, this time trying to buy a phone, was robbed after hooking up with a potential seller through the app “Offer Up”. No one was hurt in either case.

Alford Charles Wade

Detectives have made arrests in three of these robberies. One suspect is just 15 years old. A second suspect is 26-year-old Alford Charles Wade III. His last known address is the 11000 block of Saranac Station Road in Bowie. He robbed a man of his cellphone on Martin Luther King Junior Highway in Bowie on June 10, 2015.

Kemith Eugene Calvin

Detectives also arrested 17-year-old Kemith Eugene Calvin of the 11000 block of Lake Vista Lane in Mitchellville. He’s charged in connection with the armed robbery of a man trying to sell his cellphone on June 12, 2015, in the 800 block of Congressional Court in Bowie. He’s been charged as an adult.

In each of these four cases, the transactions took place in the daytime. All of the victims showed up by themselves.

Please take a moment to review these safety tips when using Craigslist and any other classified ad apps or websites:

*Never go alone to the transaction location. Always try to bring a second person with you.

*Only meet a potential buyer or seller in a public place.

*Trust your instincts. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

*Unless the item is too large to bring out of your home, never invite a buyer to your home.

Anyone with information on any of these cases is urged to call the Regional Investigative Division (Central) at (301) 772-4475. Callers can remain anonymous by calling CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). You may also text “PGPD plus your tips” to CRIMES (274537) on your cell phone or go www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip online. Crime Solvers is offering a CASH REWARD of up to $25,000 for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment.