Three men from Rio Claro robbed and assaulted at gunpoint after arranging car purchase via Facebook Marketplace in Barataria

Summary

Three men from Rio Claro were robbed at gunpoint and assaulted on Friday afternoon in Barataria after arranging to purchase a car via Facebook Marketplace. The victims followed directions from a seller to a location on 9th Avenue, where two armed men approached their vehicle and demanded $30,000 intended for the car purchase. The suspects robbed the victims of cash, a red Samsung Galaxy S20 cellphone valued at $2,800, and a wallet containing personal identification and a bank card. The victims were assaulted, forced out of their car, and ordered to flee the scene. They later reported the incident at the Morvant Police Station. The stolen vehicle was recovered later the same day by police along 7th Avenue in Barataria.