An armed robbery didn’t have to happen if the would-be buyer and seller had only met up at the Port St. Lucie Police Department to trade an iPhone 8 for cash. The agency is reminding the public that the department has monitored “meet up” spots in front of the police station off Airoso Boulevard for such transactions.
“Police encourage citizens to think twice prior to conducting internet purchases/exchanges with strangers and consider completing online transactions at The Port St. Lucie Police Department MEETUP SPOT located on the east side of the Police Department building (parking area) for a smooth and safer transaction experience,” the agency said in a statement. “The Police Department has 24/7 cameras rolling and police officers available if anything goes wrong or suspicious. Plan the online transaction at the MEETUP SPOT. The criminal will either not show up or will suggest another location convenient for the crime.”
“Watch out for RED FLAGS!”
According to police, a woman trying to sell her iPhone 8 met with two people, the supposed buyer and someone else – someone with a gun. Instead of selling the phone, she was robbed at gunpoint.
Since then, police have identified the suspects as Trovalious Larry, 19, and Calvenia Hamilton, 20. Warrants for their arrests have been issued.
Police said the victim had agreed to meet Hamilton through the Offer-Up app. Hamilton goes by “Brittany Lake” in the app.
When the victim met up with Hamilton in the 3200 block of SW Ronlea Court, she encountered Larry. Hamilton, who was carrying an infant, reached into her purse during the incident, at which time Larry pulled out a small black handgun and pointed it toward the victim, police said. Hamilton got the cellphone and returned to the vehicle before Larry drove off, police said.
The charges on Larry and Hamilton’s warrants include the following: robbery with a weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, petit theft – first degree, and child abuse – intentional act. Police warn that they are to be considered armed and dangerous.
Larry is described as a black male standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with black hair in short “kodak” dreads, a slight goatee and brown eyes.
Hamilton is described as a black female standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, with curly black hair and brown eyes. She has a piercing on her left cheek and cheetah print tattoos on both shoulders. She has shooting star tattoos on her right thigh and a decayed tooth on the right side of her mouth.
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is encouraged to call Det. Fraga at 772-873-6518, Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 800-273-TIPS, or even 911.
Both Larry and Hamilton are also wanted on other, unrelated warrants issued in July and September on charges that include fraud, grand theft, forgery and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
