Heed Craigslist warning
Updated December 10, 2012
The Cerritos Sheriff's Station/Community Safety Center advises residents to use caution when conducting negotiations and purchases on Craigslist. There have been national stories about unsuspecting victims being lured into unfamiliar areas and ultimately robbed of cash or property involved in Craigslist transactions. There have also been worse outcomes. Similar cases have been experienced in Cerritos. Two suspects were arrested as they attempted to steal cash from a man and his son on a secluded residential street. All of the parties involved were from out of the area and the victims were oblivious to the fact that they were being set up. This is just one example of a recent Cerritos case and how vulnerable buyers and sellers can be.
Although the majority of Craigslist transactions are successfully and safely completed, the Cerritos Sheriff's Station/Community Safety Center would like to offer some advice on where those transactions should take place. Conduct your business in a public place with many potential witnesses, as criminals do not like populated areas. Avoid streets, alleys, parks, industrial areas, homes, apartments, motels/hotels and offices. Consider meeting inside a mall, a crowded restaurant or other public venue with many people around. You can even meet in the lobby of the Cerritos Sheriff's Station/Community Safety Center.
