A Facebook Marketplace car sale in Solon, Ohio, took a dark turn after the buyers pulled a gun on the seller. It went from an armed robbery to a stolen vehicle and then to a high-speed chase that ended with the suspects crashing into two other cars.
FOX 8 reported that the victim arranged to meet a potential buyer, 18-year-old Martelle Carlito Reed, over Facebook Marketplace on Saturday, with a friend along for the meeting. After a test drive, the suspects convinced the victim they’d pay with cash, then began pressing him about the car’s title.
That’s when things turned violent. Once the sellers realized Reed and his accomplice had no intention of paying, they pulled a gun and threatened the victim and his friend before taking off with both the car and the title.
“I saw them put the gun on (my friend), and then they just ran away somewhere with the car,” the victim said in the body camera footage.
The Chase Reached 115 MPH
It wasn’t long until officers were notified. The stolen 2015 Chevy Impala was spotted by officers around 7:05 p.m., but the suspects sped away onto U.S. 422 West, reaching speeds of 115 mph. Once traffic slowed near Interstate 480 West, the driver crashed into two other vehicles before trying to run on foot. Police caught up, and Reed was eventually arrested at the scene.
One driver who was hit in the crash had young children in the car. It was confirmed that the injuries to him and his kids were not life-threatening. The driver of the second vehicle hit, a 40-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The Second Suspect Couldn’t Run
Reed’s accomplice, who was still in the wrecked Chevy Impala, told police he had broken his leg and couldn’t move. Charges against him haven’t been filed yet, while he receives treatment for his injuries. The 19-year-old accomplice was allegedly the one who pulled the gun on the sellers, according to WKYC.
On the other hand, Reed is facing charges, including aggravated robbery and vehicular assault. The chase is still under investigation, and supervisors say the decision to pursue it appears justified.
“It was a violent crime, and all the officers knew at the time was that somebody pointed a gun at somebody trying to sell a car and then took off,” Lt. Bill Vajdich said.
Commenters Had Their Own Advice
Most comments provided extra safety tips, suggesting that sellers research buyers ahead of time, and one commenter agreed that a police station is the safest spot for these kinds of deals. Others argued that stories like this only deepen distrust and make younger buyers and sellers more hesitant to use Facebook Marketplace.
Reed is now behind bars, and his accomplice is still receiving treatment for this broken leg. This case serves as a reminder to always take precautions when dealing with potential sellers or buyers you meet online.