Facebook Him, Danno: Robbery Victims Set Up Sting Online

BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2014—A Mattapan man who allegedly used Facebook to arrange a robbery was arrested after the victim’s younger brother set up a sting operation with Boston Police, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JORDAN SEARCY (D.O.B. 12/12/95) was arraigned Tuesday in Dorchester District Court on charges of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy.  Assistant District Attorney Amanda Cascione requested bail of $2,000 and that Searcy wear a GPS monitor, abide by a curfew, stay away and have no contact with the victims, and stay away from the location of the incident in the event he is released on bail.  Judge Jonathan Tynes set bail in the amount of $1,000 and imposed the requested conditions of release.

Prosecutors say a 20-year-old Woburn man posted to Facebook last week that he was looking to buy a cell phone. A person believed to be Searcy but using a profile with a different name replied to that post and represented that he would sell him a phone for $300. They agreed to meet on the night of Feb. 16 in an alley off of River Street in Mattapan. Instead of bringing a phone, however, Searcy and another man pulled knives and robbed the victim and his 18-year-old brother of $275. The victims called Boston Police, who canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

On Monday, Boston Police detectives learned that the victim’s younger brother had made a similar Facebook post seeking a phone and was contacted by the same individual who had robbed the 20-year-old victim.  The two arranged a meeting in the same Mattapan alleyway, but this time a Boston Police detective stood in for the prospective buyer.

As the victim sat with police inside a cruiser, Searcy and the second individual were seen approaching the alleyway.  The victim positively identified Searcy as the man who had robbed him a week prior, prosecutors said.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers descended on the location and pursued the two men, who ran through the front door of a building that locked behind them.  Searcy emerged from the building, this time wearing different clothing. Police were unimpressed by the disguise attempt and placed him under arrest.

The second suspect was able to make good on his escape. The investigation into his identity remains ongoing.

Searcy was represented by Josh Hanye.  He will return to court March 25.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.