DC man charged in two armed robberies linked to online marketplace meetups
Washington, DC — A 34-year-old man is in custody after police say he robbed victims at gunpoint and knifepoint during two separate online sales meetups just weeks apart in Southeast D.C.
Anthony Farmer, of Southeast DC, was arrested Tuesday in connection with two armed robberies tied to prearranged transactions on online marketplace platforms, investigators confirmed. Both incidents occurred in residential neighborhoods where the victims believed they were meeting legitimate buyers or sellers — only to be met with violence.
The first robbery happened on the afternoon of Saturday, August 16, on the 2300 block of Wagner Street SE. Two suspects met with the victims for a scheduled online sale. According to police, two of the suspects pulled out handguns and demanded property and cash. The victims complied, and the suspects fled the scene.
Less than a month later, on Sunday, September 14, another prearranged online transaction turned dangerous. This time, in the 2300 block of 24th Street SE, a suspect approached with a knife and demanded money. The victims again complied, and the suspect fled with the cash.
Farmer was initially arrested and charged Tuesday under a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for the gunpoint robbery. Following additional investigation by detectives, Farmer was also charged in the second incident involving the knife.
The Metropolitan Police Department is continuing to investigate both cases and is working to identify any additional suspects or accomplices. Authorities are urging the public to use the city’s designated Safe Exchange Zones — established specifically to prevent this kind of targeted criminal activity during in-person transactions.
The MPD currently operates Safe Exchange Zones at all seven district stations and the Harbor Patrol Unit headquarters. These zones are under surveillance and located in high-visibility areas to reduce the risk of scams or robberies tied to online marketplaces.
A reward of up to $10,000 remains available for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for violent crimes in the District.
The cases remain active, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact law enforcement directly or via the anonymous text tip line.
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Key Points
- A DC man was arrested Tuesday and charged in two armed robberies tied to online marketplace meetups
- Victims were robbed at gunpoint and knifepoint in Southeast DC in separate incidents in August and September
- MPD urges use of Safe Exchange Zones at police stations to prevent marketplace-related robberies
