Two men robbed in Craigslist iPad scam

Two men were robbed at gunpoint Sunday night after traveling from the suburbs to meet with men who posted ads on Craigslist claiming they had iPads to sell for $300.

A 45-year-old man met with two men at the Penrose Plaza Shopping Center on Island Avenue near Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philly around 10:20 p.m., thinking he would return to Sharon Hill with an iPad, said Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police Southwest Detective Division.

Instead, one of the men pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, took the man's $300 and the pair of thieves fled, Walker said.

Soon after, a 25-year-old man from King of Prussia met with two suspects who fit the same description on Yocum Street near 67th in Kingsessing.

The victim was robbed of $275 in cash, his cell phone and his silver 2009 Toyota Corolla, leaving him stranded at 10:45 p.m.

"Our victims were looking to get a good deal, unfortunately they risked their safety," Walker said. "Obviously, the concern with these Craigslist jobs is people — first of all — should know where they're going."

Walker said anyone agreeing to meet with someone to buy goods from Craigslist should meet in a well lit and populated area, and avoid making the transaction alone if possible.

Earlier this month, police warned of Craigslist scammers advertising Rolex watches for sale and robbing the would-be buyers at gunpoint when they met at obscure locations in North Philadelphia.

Neither of the victims in Sunday's incidents were injured and Walker said the man's car had not been recovered as of Monday night.

The suspects were described as black men; one was light skinned, 5-feet-8 with short hair. The other was dark skinned, also about 5-feet-8, and was wearing a black hooded sweater and black basketball shorts at the time, Walker said.