tsquared
08-07-2008, 06:48 PM
Police Warning: Internet Sellers Beware!
WKBW-TV
updated 26 minutes ago
Man's home targeted for burglary, arson through online classified ad site
You've heard the warning "Buyer Beware." Now, police say sellers need to be
careful when placing ads on Internet sites like Craigslist.Com and EBay.Com.
A Niagara Falls man's home was burglarized and set on fire after he placed
an ad on Craigslist. The seller was contacted by a man posing as a potential
buyer, Christopher Klem, 18, of Buffalo, said Niagara Falls Police Det.
Capt. Ernest Palmer. The two men exchanged text messages to arrange the
purchase of computer equipment. But instead of making some money, the seller
became a victim after $30,000 in electronics were stolen from his Linwood
Avenue home. Even worse, the burglar set the house on fire to cover his
tracks, Palmer said. "Klem was able to glean information (through the text
messages) he needed to know, when the victim would not be home in order to
set-up the burglary," Palmer said. Police arrested Klem yesterday and
charged him in the July 31 incident with burglary, arson and grand larceny.
Klem was caught after police say he tried to sell some of the items at a
video game store on Delaware Ave. in North Buffalo. Store clerks were
alerted to keep a look-out for the items. The victim was also employed by
the game store chain. Palmer said people who post items for sale on the
Internet need to use caution. "Don't give out your personal information
until maybe the same day you're supposed to meet the person," Palmer said,
warning online sellers to use caution when posting items on the Internet.
Klem is free on $15,000 bail. He was arraigned in Niagara Falls City Court
on Thursday morning.
WKBW-TV
updated 26 minutes ago
Man's home targeted for burglary, arson through online classified ad site
You've heard the warning "Buyer Beware." Now, police say sellers need to be
careful when placing ads on Internet sites like Craigslist.Com and EBay.Com.
A Niagara Falls man's home was burglarized and set on fire after he placed
an ad on Craigslist. The seller was contacted by a man posing as a potential
buyer, Christopher Klem, 18, of Buffalo, said Niagara Falls Police Det.
Capt. Ernest Palmer. The two men exchanged text messages to arrange the
purchase of computer equipment. But instead of making some money, the seller
became a victim after $30,000 in electronics were stolen from his Linwood
Avenue home. Even worse, the burglar set the house on fire to cover his
tracks, Palmer said. "Klem was able to glean information (through the text
messages) he needed to know, when the victim would not be home in order to
set-up the burglary," Palmer said. Police arrested Klem yesterday and
charged him in the July 31 incident with burglary, arson and grand larceny.
Klem was caught after police say he tried to sell some of the items at a
video game store on Delaware Ave. in North Buffalo. Store clerks were
alerted to keep a look-out for the items. The victim was also employed by
the game store chain. Palmer said people who post items for sale on the
Internet need to use caution. "Don't give out your personal information
until maybe the same day you're supposed to meet the person," Palmer said,
warning online sellers to use caution when posting items on the Internet.
Klem is free on $15,000 bail. He was arraigned in Niagara Falls City Court
on Thursday morning.