iPhone stolen during Craigslist ad meet up in Burbank

A man who arranged to sell his iPhone 5 via Craigslist was left phoneless and cashless after the would-be buyer grabbed the phone and ran, police said.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., the man was meeting the buyer in the parking lot of the 99 Cents Only store on West Victory Boulevard, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

When the suspect approached the man, he asked to see the phone. As the victim took out the iPhone, the suspect grabbed it and fled northbound on Brighton Street.

The suspect was described as black, roughly 19 years old with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing jeans and a black flannel jacket, Ryburn said.

“That’s why people should be real careful when selling items, whether it be [through] an ad in the paper or Craigslist,” Ryburn said. “Have people with you to ensure your safety.”

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.