"The buyer displayed a handgun and some other people in the car with them also got out of the car, and they also had guns also and they were able to make off with the property," said Lt. Onesimo Lopez with the Pearland Police Department.
Authorities tell us the seller was from Houston, but did not know this area well and apparently thought nothing of meeting the buyer at the Pearland park.
Police say the buyer took the seller's stuff and drove away, leaving the seller empty-handed. Authorities are now suggesting a better place for buyers and sellers to meet.
"Definitely I would recommend the parking lot of a police station if someone wants to make a sale there," said Lopez. "That is definitely a good place to go."
And if the buyer will not meet you where you feel safe...
"If they try to draw you to an area that you are not familiar with, then either make other arrangements or just cancel the sale because it is better to stay safe then possibly get robbed," said Lopez.
Tamara Bailey has bought several things off Craigslist and usually goes to a person's house to complete the deal, but says meeting at a police station sounds like a better idea.
"I think that's a great idea, especially if you are a woman meeting someone because you don't know if it is a man or a woman on the other end that is selling to you," said Bailey.
Police say they also have seen counterfeit money used to buy merchandise.
