Windsor police are warning the public to be safe when meeting strangers to pick up online purchases.
Police say a 19-year-old woman was told to go to a home on Sierra Dr. near the E. C. Row Expressway in west Windsor the night of July 27 to buy a cell phone advertised online. But she was told not to knock on the door because the seller's mother was sleeping. Investigators say when she arrived, she was approached by a man who identified himself as the person selling the phone. The man produced a phone and the victim gave him the cash but then he pushed her, grabbed the phone and ran away. The victim was not hurt.
The suspect is described as a black man, 18-24 years old with a tall and slim build, and no facial hair. He was wearing a tight grey hoodie worn inside out with horizontal stripes, white basketball shorts, and white basketball shoes.
Police say they responded to a similar call in the same area on June 17.
Authorities say you should never go alone when meeting an online stranger and you should meet during the day in a public and populated area, such as a mall, restaurant or public building equipped with video surveillance cameras.
More cyber safety tips can be found at https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/index-en.aspx.
Anyone with information can contact Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.
