Police: 15-year-old boy arrested for Craigslist armed robberies involving high-end basketball shoes

SEATTLE -- Seattle police have arrested a 15-year-old boy for armed robberies of people  who advertised high-end basketball shoes for sale on Craigslist.

Police said detectives have linked three armed robbery cases reaching  back to December 20, when the suspect answered an ad on Craigslist looking to purchase some high-end basketball shoes.  When the seller arrived in the 6700 block of 28 Avenue South,  the suspect drew a handgun and took the shoes and other items before running away, police said.

In a second case, police said,  a shoe seller met with a man in an attempt to sell a pair of $800 sneakers January 20.  The seller agreed to a meet the buyer in the 7000 block of 32 Avenue South, but the suspect there grabbed the shoes and ran away. The seller gave chase, but the suspect turned and fired a single shot in the air, police said.

In a third case, a man was attempting to sell three pairs of Jordan basketball shoes on Craigslist. The man agreed to meet the suspect in the 7000 block of 32 Avenue South.  The suspect spoke to the victim for a minute before a second suspect approached carrying an Uzi-type firearm.  The two suspects took all three pairs of shoes and ran off, police said.

Detectives found and arrested one of the suspects Tuesday afternoon while he attended school.  Police said detectives interviewed the 15-year-old who admitted to “wheeling and dealing”with shoes. Police said detectives later that day served a search warrant on his home, recovering many items linked to the robberies.  Detectives booked the teen into the King County Youth Services Center for investigation of robbery.