Man arranges iPhone purchase on Facebook, ends up getting robbed

 A man was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday in East Akron after using Facebook to arrange a meeting to purchase an iPhone, police say.

It is one of two armed robberies Tuesday being investigated by police, the other at a Family Dollar in the Sherbondy Hill neighborhood.

In the Facebook robbery, the 34-year-old victim agreed to meet the suspect on the 700 block of Colette Drive at about 6 p.m. Instead of selling him an iPhone, the unknown suspect pulled out a handgun and took the man’s wallet, police say.

The suspect 16 to 20 years old with short hair, according to police. He was wearing gray sweat pants at the time of the robbery.

At about 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, a manager at the Family Dollar on the 500 block of Vernon Odom Boulevard tells police that a male suspect came into the store, took out a handgun and demanded money.

After a brief verbal exchange with a clerk, the suspect left the store without any money. Police say the suspect was wearing a mask and a royal blue hooded sweat shirt.

There were no reports of injuries in either robbery and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can call police at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS. Individuals also can send tips by texting TIPSCO to 274637. People offering tips can remain anonymous.