Three People Arrested for iPhone Scam, According to Suffolk Authorities
Albany, NY - April 17, 2018 - Suffolk County Police today arrested three people on April 16, 2018 for a scam during which they sold a sealed Apple iPhone 8 that was actually a box containing only rice in North Babylon.
After receiving several complaints about a scam on the app Letgo, First Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an undercover operation and arranged to meet a person at McDonald’s, located at 1510 Deer Park Avenue, to purchase an iPhone 8 for $300.00. After the purchase was complete, officers discovered that the sealed box contained a package of rice wrapped in tinfoil and arrested the person, a 17-year-old male of Brooklyn, at approximately 1:25 p.m.
Ramel Parker, 22, of Islip, and a male, 17, of West Babylon, who were connected with the scam and located in a vehicle nearby at approximately 1:50 p.m. and were arrested. Officers recovered three iPhone boxes containing rice and tinfoil, a bag of rice, an industrial sealer, heat gun, roll of clear plastic wrap, baggies and box of tinfoil in the car.
The 17-year-old of Brooklyn was charged with Petit Larceny, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, and Resisting Arrest. Parker was charged with Petit Larceny, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, Criminal Possession of Marijuana, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 2nd Degree and an outstanding New York City warrant. The 17-year-old of West Babylon was charged with Petit Larceny, Possession of Burglar’s Tools and Criminal Possession of Marijuana.
Parker and the 17-year-old of Brooklyn will be held overnight at the First Precinct and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on April 17, 2018. The 17-year-old of West Babylon was released on bail.
Police are asking anyone who might have been a victim of this scam to contact First Precinct Crime Section officers at (631) 854-8126.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.