West Shore RCMP say a man has been arrested after reportedly brandishing a conducted energy weapon (CEW) during a Facebook Marketplace sale.
Police said on Oct. 27, someone contacted RCMP about a Facebook Marketplace sale that had gone wrong. The person told police they had agreed to meet a man to swap some personal items in exchange for a gaming system.
According to police, the complainant and suspect met each other and exchanged items. The complaint left and later realized the box they were given did not contain the gaming system so they went back to the suspect and asked for their personal items to be returned.
The suspect then allegedly brandished a long baton-shaped CEW. CEW, commonly referred to as Tasers, use electrical impulses that cause involuntary muscle contractions and temporary immobilization.
The suspect reportedly displayed the weapon, turning it on and intimidating the complainant. The victim was not injured, police said.
“The West Shore RCMP Crime Reduction Unit executed a search warrant on the suspect’s home. The conducted energy weapon was located in the search and seized by police. The suspect was identified as a 23-year-old male who was arrested for being in possession of a weapon dangerous to the public as well as fraud, Const. Nancy Saggar, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP, said in a statement.
Police said people should always exercise caution when meeting up with people online to buy or sell items. Police recommend picking a public location as a meeting point, preferably during the day. If possible, people should take a friend with them so they are not alone.
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