Facebook Market meetup in Delaware ends in gunpoint robbery

Armed suspect robs man during Facebook Market meetup at Claymont Food Lion

CLAYMONT, DE – Delaware State Police are investigating an armed robbery that unfolded Thursday evening in the parking lot of a Food Lion in Claymont during what was supposed to be an online marketplace sale.

Troopers responded around 8:30 p.m. to the store located at 3609 Philadelphia Pike after reports of a robbery. Investigators said the victim had arranged to meet a man to sell a watch through Facebook Market.

During the exchange, the suspect tried on the watch, then walked back to his vehicle. He allegedly displayed a handgun before fleeing in a black SUV. The victim was not injured.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned Black male in his late twenties to early thirties. At this time, no surveillance video or images have been released.

Detectives with Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit are handling the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Armstrong at 302-365-8440, send a private Facebook message to Delaware State Police, or call Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

Support services for crime victims and witnesses are available through the Delaware Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.

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Key Points

  • A Facebook Market meetup at the Food Lion in Claymont turned into an armed robbery Thursday night.
  • The suspect fled in a black SUV after showing the victim a handgun and taking a watch.
  • Police describe the suspect as a light-skinned Black male in his late twenties to early thirties.