SHELTON – Two people were arrested Aug. 29 for allegedly robbing a person they met to purchase Nike Air Jordan sneakers from.
According to a prepared statement from police, a woman from Perry Hill Road called 911 at about 9:45 p.m. saying she had just been robbed at gunpoint.
The victim had posted the sneakers for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and had arranged to meet the suspects to sell the items.
The buyers arrived in a silver SUV – a man driving with a woman in the passenger seat.
“The victim reported that a disagreement started over the cost of the shoes and she attempted to get her money back from the front seat passenger,” police said.
The male driver allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it at her before driving off. The victim was able to see a paper license plate attached to the back of the car.
She reported that to police.
Officer Michael Dinihanian spotted a vehicle matching the description on Bridgeport Avenue, and pulled the vehicle over as it entered Route 8 north.
Police said a loaded, stolen handgun was found inside the vehicle, along with “items related to the Facebook Marketplace sale.”
The male driver was identified as Wazim Ali Hariprashad, 19, of Bridgeport. He is charged with first-degree robbery, carrying a pistol without a permit, theft of a firearm, and first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery.
He was being held on a $100,000 bond pending an Aug. 30 court appearance in Derby.
The female passenger was identified as Caroline Gabriela Ruiz-Robinson, 18, of Bridgeport. She is charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. She posted a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 16.
People should be cautious when meeting people to finalize sales arranged online. In Middletown, residents are encouraged to complete the sale at the police department.
