Armed robber ‘posing as a seller’ online is shot by off-duty Florida cops who arranged to buy jet skis from him – Terrence Jones Jr is facing robbery charges after attempting to hold the buyers at gunpoint when they met to conduct the sale on Sunday
Terrence Jones Jr held two Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies at gunpoint when they met to conduct a sale at a home in Wildwood, Florida, on Sunday
Jones, 19, lured the targets by posing as a seller on Offerup and the off-duty Florida cops had arranged to buy jet skis from him
The plainclothes officers drew their guns as Jones told them to get on the ground – He reportedly opene fire, prompting the deputies to shoot back
Jones sustained non-life threatening injuries and faces armed robbery charges
Deputies said another suspect was spotted fleeing the scene and is still at large
Jones is charged with robbery and assault and is being held without bail
Terrence Jones Jr [photo], is facing armed robbery charges after he posed as a seller online and held two Sheriff’s deputies at gunpoint, instead when they met to buy jet skis from him at a home in Wildwood, Fla, on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Florida man was shot by two off-duty sheriff’s deputies he tried to rob after posting a fake advertisement offering jet skis for sale.
The two Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies, after seeing the ad, agreed to meet the seller at a home in on Sunday afternoon.
The deputies went to a Wildwood home Sunday in civilian clothes, and when they arrived they were approached by a man later identified as 19-year-old Terrance Jones Jr., who was wielding a semi-automatic pistol.
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The man allegedly ordered the officers, who were not in uniform, to get on the ground as he held them at gunpoint and refused to drop it after they identified themselves and pulled their guns. They say Jones fired shots and they shot him in the leg, in self defense. the arrest affidavit states.
Sumter County police responded to the scene and found Jones Jr on the ground with a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Sunday’s officer involved shooting happened at this Wildwood, Florida home where the deputies had arranged to meet the seller to conduct a person-to-person sale
Deputies said another suspect was spotted fleeing the scene and is still at large.
The homeowner later told Sumter County investigators he didn’t recognize Jones and had not put the jet skis up for sale.
Jones is charged with robbery, assault and other felonies and is being held without bail.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office posted about the incident on Facebook as a warning to the public about meeting online sellers in person.
‘This type of crime has become more prevalent in recent times,’ the post said.
‘Two similar incidents have happened in recent months within the jurisdiction of the Wildwood Police Department. On April 13, 2019, and June 25, 2019, similar armed robberies took place in which online sales were used to lure the victims in.
‘Be cautious when attempting to complete person to person online purchase transactions. If this type of transaction is taking place take necessary precautions to ensure safety. Conduct the transaction in a public place and if necessary contact law enforcement to be present during the transaction.’
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