Craigslist exchange leads to North Campus robbery

University Police are searching for two men who allegedly robbed a non-university-affiliated male Tuesday night after selling him an iPhone.

The two men arranged to meet the victim, a 28-year-old Adelphi resident, at the ATM outside Ellicott Hall at about 8:22 p.m., after arranging a transaction on Craigslist. The victim handed one of the suspects the money for the phone, and he put it in his pocket. Immediately afterward, one of the suspects punched the victim in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, and then removed the newly purchased iPhone and another iPhone from the victim's pocket before fleeing toward La Plata Beach.

University Police spokesman Paul Dillon said the victim received a small cut to his lip but didn't need any medical attention.

Three witnesses called 911 soon after the incident, Dillon said.

The victim and witnesses identified the two suspects as black males, 6-feet-tall, with athletic builds and wearing hooded sweatshirts.

Dillon said University Police are following up on leads, and when the suspects are discovered, they will be charged with robbery and assault. The suspects chose the meeting spot outside Ellicott Hall, so Dillon said there is a possibility the suspects are affiliated with the university.

A student was robbed between Harford and Frederick Halls exactly a week before this incident, but Dillon said police do not believe there is a connection.

"This is the first time we have dealt with this kind of thing," Dillon said."But this is the first time I can recall that people met on Craigslist and there was a robbery involved — it's just not common."

botelho@umdbk.com