A man is currently facing robbery charges after he reportedly robbed a victim during a meet-up arranged on Facebook Marketplace. What makes this incident particularly bizarre is that the robbery took place in the parking lot of a Chicago police station. To make matters even more peculiar, the suspect then ran into the stationhouse lobby with the stolen items hidden in his underwear.
Phillips Shockley, a 24-year-old individual, allegedly made a purchase of an Audemars Piguet watch for $3,000 from a man he connected with through a Facebook listing. According to prosecutors, the meeting between Shockley and the 19-year-old seller took place in the parking lot of the Austin (15th) District police station, located at 5701 West Madison, around noon on February 6th.
Meeting at a police station or another public place is a great suggestion for marketplace participants as it helps to minimize the risk of being deceived. This approach has proven to be effective in most cases, although it may not provide complete assurance every time.
According to prosecutors, when the victim brought the watch to Shockley for inspection in the police station parking lot, Shockley assumed a fighting stance. He then pretended to have a weapon by reaching into his pants and proceeded to push the victim twice.
As Shockley fled, the victim swiftly called out to nearby Chicago police officers, who promptly responded to the situation.
“He just robbed me! He took my watch!” the man screamed to the officers, according to the report they filed.
Shockley didn’t make a swift escape as one might expect. Instead of fleeing the scene or seeking refuge in a getaway vehicle, he surprisingly sprinted straight into the police station lobby. To his misfortune, more officers were waiting there to apprehend him.
During a pat-down search, an officer discovered 42 small baggies of suspected crack cocaine in Shockley’s pocket, as stated in his arrest report. Furthermore, a sergeant found another bulge in his underwear during a more extensive search conducted in the district’s lockup cell.
According to the sergeant’s request, Shockley proceeded to remove the suspicious bulge concealed in his underwear. To everyone’s surprise, he pulled out a stunning white and gold Audemars Piguet watch adorned with exquisite white stones.
Judge Deidre Dyer granted the state’s detention petition, citing the “opportunistic and random nature” of the alleged crime. She also pointed out that Shockley was already on probation for a Will County case at the time of the robbery.
He faces charges of robbery and possession of a controlled substance.