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Update: Detectives arrest Craigslist carjackers

Police capture West Philly men who used a bogus $300 iPad Craigslist advertisment to lure victims into gunpoint robberies.

Police captured three West Philly men who used a bogus $300 iPad Craigslist advertisment to lure victims into gunpoint robberies.

Terrance Brown, 21, of the 600 block of Wynnewood Road, dreamed up the scheme that duped two victims in Southwest Philadelphia last Sunday, police said.

Around 10:20 p.m., Brown's cohorts, Malcolm Craig, 18, and Edward Brown, 19, met a 45-year-old Sharon Hill man at the Penrose Plaza Shopping Center who wanted to buy the iPad, said Police Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detective Division.

Only thing, there was no iPad, just Craig and Brown with a handgun.

Craig waved the gun, and the thugs made off with the victim's $300, Walker said.

Just 25 minutes later, the alleged thieves met a 25-year-old King of Prussia man on the 6700 block of Yocum Street,  where they robbed him of his 2009 silver Toyota Corolla and $275. (Apparently, he was looking to bargain the iPad's asking price down.)

Early Tuesday morning, police spotted the Corolla near 62st and Walnut. After a brief foot chase, police nabbed Brown and Craig, Walker said.

Terrance Brown, the alleged ringleader, was arrested at his home a few hours later.

They are all facing robbery, carjacking, and gun charges, Walker said.