MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Murfreesboro Police detectives are warning residents to take precautions when meeting strangers for online sales after a man was robbed at gunpoint while attempting to sell a gold chain he had listed on Facebook Marketplace.
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, the robbery occurred around 6:05 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, when the 48-year-old victim agreed to meet several individuals at a residence on Blaze Drive to finalize the sale of the chain. The victim told officers he had arranged the meeting through Facebook Marketplace after listing the jewelry for sale online.
Detectives said the situation escalated once the man arrived. One of the suspects asked to examine the gold chain while two others remained inside a nearby vehicle. During the interaction, investigators say the two men in the car pointed handguns at the victim while the third suspect took possession of the chain. The suspects then fled the scene with the jewelry.
Police did not report any injuries, but the case is being actively investigated by the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests connected to the robbery.
In response to the incident, Murfreesboro Police are reminding residents that the department maintains a Safe Exchange Zone specifically designed for people meeting to buy or sell items arranged online. The designated location is in the front parking lot of police headquarters at 1004 N. Highland Avenue, where the area is well lit and monitored by security cameras.
Law enforcement officials say these designated exchange zones significantly reduce the risk of robbery or fraud during online transactions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which monitors consumer safety and fraud nationwide, similarly advises people buying or selling items online to meet in safe public places, avoid secluded locations such as private homes, and consider bringing another person to the transaction. The FTC also recommends keeping communications within the online platform when possible and avoiding requests to move transactions to private messaging apps or unusual payment methods.
Consumer safety experts say the growing popularity of online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other classifieds platforms has made these precautions increasingly important. While many transactions occur without issue, criminals sometimes exploit in-person meetups to target sellers carrying valuable items or cash.
Local police say residents should remember that meeting at a police department’s exchange zone provides multiple safety advantages, including surveillance cameras, lighting, and the presence of nearby officers. These features make it far less attractive for criminals looking to commit robbery or fraud.
Authorities encourage anyone who plans to complete an in-person sale arranged online to consider using the Murfreesboro Police Safe Exchange Zone rather than a private residence or unfamiliar location.
Anyone with information related to the Blaze Drive robbery is asked to contact the Murfreesboro Police Department.
