Craigslist is a popular way for people to buy and sell various new and used items, ranging from cars to furniture to electronics. However, there is always a risk when doing business with people you have never met before, as several people in Seattle recently learned. Seattle police recently arrested a 15-year old boy on suspicion of at least three armed robberies. The robberies stretch as far back as December 20th. The boy contacted people through Craigslist seeking to purchase high-end sneakers.

The first incident involved a teenager who responded to a Craigslist offer for high-end tennis shoes, robbing the seller at gun point. In the second robbery, the seller arrived at the agreed meet up location, where the teen then stole the shoes and ran off. When the seller gave chase, the teen fired a shot into the air and the seller stopped following him. The seller then called 911. The third robbery differed from the first two, as the teen had an accomplice. The seller was trying to sell three pairs of Air Jordans. The teens met up with the seller and his accomplice came up with an “Uzi-type firearm.” The pair took the shoes from the seller and left.

In Washington, under RCW 9A.56.190 robbery is defined as:

“A person commits robbery when he or she unlawfully takes personal property from the person of another or in his or her presence against his or her will by the use or threatened use of immediate force, violence, or fear of injury to that person or his or her property or the person or property of anyone. Such force or fear must be used to obtain or retain possession of the property, or to prevent or overcome resistance to the taking; in either of which cases the degree of force is immaterial. Such taking constitutes robbery whenever it appears that, although the taking was fully completed without the knowledge of the person from whom taken, such knowledge was prevented by the use of force or fear.”

RCW 9A.56.200 addresses first degree robbery. First degree robbery is defined as:

(1) A person is guilty of robbery in the first degree if:

(a) In the commission of a robbery or of immediate flight therefrom, he or she:

(i) Is armed with a deadly weapon; or

(ii) Displays what appears to be a firearm or other deadly weapon; or

(iii) Inflicts bodily injury; or

(b) He or she commits a robbery within and against a financial institution as defined in RCW 7.88.010 or 35.38.060.

(2) Robbery in the first degree is a class A felony.

RCW 9A.56.210 addresses second degree robbery; the statute is as follows:

(1) A person is guilty of robbery in the second degree if he or she commits robbery.

(2) Robbery in the second degree is a class B felony.

Robbery is an extremely serious crime and can carry considerable jail time and high fines. Class A offenses are punishable by a maximum of life in prison and a maximum fine of $50,000. Class B offenses are punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine. RCW 9A.20.021.

If you are facing robbery charges, you need a knowledgeable and experienced attorney on your side. Contact attorney Steve Karimi today to discuss your case.