WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – A Facebook Marketplace sale turned violent last week after three people tried to run off with a PlayStation 5, according to the Winter Springs Police Department.
In a news release, police said the incident happened on Feb. 17, when the trio came to the city to buy the console from a Facebook seller.
But when they met up with the seller, they decided not to pay the victim and instead tried to flee with the PS5, police added.
Surveillance footage captures the seller running after the vehicle and clinging to the passenger side door to try to get back the solen PS5. Officials report the man was dragged hundreds of feet, pepper-sprayed, and eventually pushed from the vehicle as it ran a red light.
“The victim, in an effort to retrieve his PS5, reached into the vehicle as the trio sped off,” the release reads. “The suspects then pepper-sprayed the victim and dragged him several hundred feet before he fell from the car, suffering minor injuries.”
Police said they managed to track the car to Apopka, where a search of the vehicle yielded a can of pepper spray and the stolen PS5.
The following three suspects were taken into custody:
- Christopher Stephan Lewis — faces charge of robbery
- Maud Chelle Jean Baptiste — faces charge of robbery
- Natalya Joi Hayles (Driver) — faces charge of accessory after the fact
“This is a reminder: If you are buying or selling items on internet exchange sites such as Facebook Marketplace, the Winter Springs Police Department has an ‘Internet Purchase Exchange’ area in our PD parking lot located at 300 N. Moss Rd., where you can meet in a safe and monitored environment,” the release concludes. “If the person you’re dealing with is not comfortable meeting at a police station, you may want to reconsider doing business with them.”
Police on Wednesday released video of the incident, which you can watch below:
“In regards to the case, it’s still an ongoing investigation. It’s an unfortunate incident that we’re still working through,” said Winter Springs police captain, Nicholas Romano .
When asked whether victims should attempt to retrieve stolen property in similar situations, the captain responded firmly: “Absolutely not. It’s dangerous. Just be a good witness. Identify as many characteristics as you can.”
Police are urging residents to use designated safe exchange zones, often located at police departments, when conducting online transactions.
“The services here at the police department — we’re a 24-hour operation,” the captain said. “We have security cameras. We have dispatchers and inside personnel.”
Even on weekends or after hours, officers say the station remains a safer option because of constant surveillance and staffing.
“Put yourself in a position to do these transactions in a safe place — well-lit areas, well-traveled areas,” the captain added. “If an individual does not want to do those dealings in those types of areas, you may want to reconsider doing business with that individual.”