Police looking for suspect in Seabrook armed robbery stemming from online sale
Police are still searching for the man they suspect robbed a man at gunpoint earlier this month outside of a community center in Seabrook, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office alert.
Police are looking for Jonathan Robinson III, 28, of Dale, South Carolina. They say he responded March 19 to an advertisement on Facebook that listed a video gaming system for sale, the alert said.
Police say Robinson was set to meet the seller at a restaurant, but the location was changed “last minute” to the community center. When the seller arrived, police allege Robinson pointed a handgun at him and demanded his watch, gaming system, cellphone and wallet. No shots were fired and there were no injuries, police say.
Police were able to identify Robinson as the suspect in the robbery, according to Maj. Bob Bromage from the Sheriff’s Office, and obtained a warrant to search his home. While there, they found clothing and a handgun believed to have been used in the robbery.
Robberies from online sales
This is one of several robberies that have taken place in the last several months after ads were placed to sell goods online, Bromage said.
In February, someone pointed a gun to a man’s head and stole his wallet while trying to purchase a PlayStation 5 he had seen in an advertisement online.
A day later, three teens were accused of holding a woman at gunpoint after she listed a cellphone for sale in Burton. Two of the teenagers, who were not named because they are minors, were petitioned to Family Court and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia. The third, Dorrian Morgan, 17, of Burton, was charged as an adult. As of Tuesday, Morgan remains in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
On Feb. 19, a man was robbed at gunpoint after he went to buy a trailer that was listed for sale on St. Helena.
If using Facebook Marketplace or other online platforms to purchase and sell items online, Bromage suggested residents meet with prospective buyers and sellers in public, well-populated areas. People should not allow the person they are meeting to change the meet-up location at the last minute, he said.
“If it causes you to hesitate, walk away,” Bromage said. “And always have someone with you, there is safety in numbers.”
Anyone with information about the armed robbery or Robinson’s location may call Sgt. Todd Duncan with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s office at 843-255-3418 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.
This story was originally published March 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM.
