2 Louisiana Men Accused of Buying a Gun, Then Robbing the Seller

Get our free mobile app

When it comes to private (that's person-to-person) gun sales, you've got to be careful.  Really, when you buy anything from someone that requires an in-person meet-up at a prearranged location, you should be on high alert.  One Louisiana man in Opelousas just learned that lesson the hard way, and he was lucky to escape with his life!

According to the report from WGNO, 18-year old Nyhiem Hogans and 19-year old Shawn JeKian Oakley, Jr (pictured above) were arrested by officers with the Opelousas Police Department over the weekend.  The pair stands accused of buying a gun from the unnamed victim, then immediately using the same gun to rob the seller in order to get their money back!  Both men are officially being charged with one count of armed robbery.

This kind of thing could easily happen to you

That brings about a very timely point.  With the Christmas shopping season nearly here, more and more people will be arranging meet-ups to buy things they have found online on sites like Craigslist.  While this may be the perfect way to save money or find that one-of-a-kind gift your loved one just has to have - it's also the perfect opportunity for crooks to rob you or worse.

Protect yourself when you meet up with a seller or buyer in person

The security experts at ADT have a pretty handy set of tips to help you make that purchase safely.  The 7 things they recommend you adhere to are:

1. Make sure the transaction is worth your time
2. Always use a proxy email address
3. Plan details in advance
4. Meet in public and bring a friend (the best suggestion is in the Police Dept. parking lot or at least a well-lit area with plenty of cameras like Walmart or Target)
5. Stay safe when a buyer comes to your house
6. Accept cash only
7. Trust your instincts when vetting buyers (basically, if it doesn't feel right - it probably isn't)