The victim agreed to meet a man Friday night to sell him a cellphone advertised on Craigslist, but was robbed at gunpoint.

Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police are searching for a suspect who robbed a man of two cellphones at gunpoint and then struck the victim’s vehicle with his car while fleeing.

Police said they received a call about the incident, which took place at 956 New Britain Ave., at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. According to police, the victim was selling a cellphone through Craigslist and had agreed to meet the buyer at that location to make the transaction.

The suspect “pulled out a handgun and threatened to shoot the victim several times,” demanding that the victim give him the phone that was for sale as well as his new phone, police said.

The victim turned over the phones. Police said that as the suspect fled the scene, he struck the victim’s car with his vehicle. The victim was not injured.

The victim told police that the suspect, a black male in his 20s with a thin build, carrying a small black handgun, was driving a white vehicle, possibly an Acura. He headed east on New Britain Ave.

Police remind residents to use use well-lit areas, preferably those under video surveillance, for Craigslist and other transactions. The West Hartford Police Department parking lot, which is under constant video surveillance, is available for such transactions.

The West Hartford Police Department’s Detective Division is investigating the Friday night incident. Anyone with information is urged to call Det. Gary Ciarleglio at 860-570-8874 .

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