A Chicago Man Accused of Luring Victims into Armed Robbery Traps through Facebook Marketplace
A 19-year-old Chicago man, identified as Bryant Welch, allegedly targeted sellers advertising Air Jordan sneakers for sale on Facebook Marketplace in the weeks leading up to Christmas, resulting in a series of armed robberies, according to prosecutors.
Using a Facebook account registered in his name with the username āServing Best Deals,ā Welch contacted victims who had posted shoes for sale online, authorities claim.
Following a community alert issued by the Chicago Police Department, residents were warned about an armed robber responding to advertisements for Air Jordans and other Nike brand shoes on the marketplace platform.
Prosecutors outlined a pattern in the robberies orchestrated by Welch: he would arrange meetings with sellers, then confront them with firearms, threaten their lives, and steal the shoes without payment.
The first incident took place on December 3 at 1:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of West Steuben Street, where a 20-year-old man was allegedly robbed of Jordan 4 Black Cat shoes by Welch, who brandished a handgun equipped with a laser sight and an extended magazine.
The following day, on December 4 at 4:15 p.m., an 18-year-old man fell victim to an armed robbery of Jordan shoes in the 1700 block of West Edmaire Street.
Another robbery occurred on December 10 at 1:37 p.m. in the 11300 block of South Davol Street, where a 26-year-old man was reportedly robbed of Jordan shoes by Welch, this time armed with a rifle.
December 18 witnessed two separate robberies. In the first incident at 5:20 p.m., two men aged 19 and 20 were allegedly robbed at gunpoint of Jordan shoes in the 1600 block of West Monterey Avenue. A few hours later, a 25-year-old man was robbed of Jordan shoes at gunpoint in the 11000 block of South Ashland Avenue.
All six victims were able to identify Welch in photo lineups, according to prosecutors.
During a court hearing, Judge Ankur Srivastava ordered Welch to be detained pending trial.
