A D.C. firefighter is accused of robbing someone of a designer pair of sneakers at gunpoint in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Montgomery County police said the victim made arrangements online through "OfferUp" to sell the Christian Louboutin Louis Orlato Holographic sneakers to 24-year-old Devon Alfred Moore.
The black and metallic shoes featured a studded round toe and were valued at $700. Similar shoes by the French designer are priced about $1,300 brand new online.
Moore and the seller met at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and East West Highway on Dec. 20 and had a disagreement during the transaction, police said.
Moore then took out a handgun and left the area with the shoes, police said.
Police obtained a warrant to charge Moore with armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and theft between $100 and $1,500.
Moore was arrested on Monday and released from jail on Wednesday after posting a $5,000 bond.
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D.C. Fire and EMS confirmed Moore has been with the department for four years and said he is currently on leave pending the outcome of the case. The department would not say if Moore was being paid while on leave.
Police did not say whether or not the shoes have been recovered.
Montgomery County police have urged residents to use its designated safe Exchange Zones for residents to complete online transactions. The Exchange Zones are located at each of the six police district station’s lobbies and parking lots.
Police also advised residents to use the following safety tips when buying or selling:
- Always meet the buyer or seller at an exchange zone that is well populated, well lit, and preferably at a designated police exchange zone.
- Tell a friend or family member where you’re going to meet someone and when possible, take a friend with you.
- Inform the buyer/seller that you will not be alone.
- Do not invite strangers into your home.
- Never give out any personal or financial information.
- When dealing with large sums of cash, don’t be afraid to tell the buyer that you will want to check the bills for authenticity.
- It is OK to show a buyer that you have an item, but do not surrender it until you have checked the validity of the currency.
- Look for the denomination specific security features. Each bill has a specific watermark and security thread.
- Sometimes an advertised sale is a scam…trust your instincts – if it sounds like a scam or too good to be true, it probably is.
