String of gunpoint meet-up robberies under investigation in Brampton

Police are warning residents to take precautions when buying or selling items in online meet-ups following a string of armed robberies in Brampton.

The incidents have been ongoing since May in the area of Hansen Road North in Brampton, Peel Regional Police said in a release on Friday.

Investigators say the adult victims would go to a pre-arranged location for a transaction through Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, but were robbed by multiple suspects at gunpoint.

No physical injuries have been reported but police say the suspects are considered armed and dangerous.

The victims were all robbed by two to three suspects during the incidents. Police say the suspects are described as Black males between the ages of 15 to 20 with slim builds. They were wearing black hoodies and black sweatpants at the time of the robberies.

The robberies have police reminding and encouraging the public to use the Sell Safe Exchange Zones located at all Peel Regional Police Divisions.

“These spaces are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and aim to provide the public with a safe place to meet when conducting transactions with strangers,” police say of the exchange zones.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Peel Regional Police by calling 905-453-3311. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.

The warning from police follows the arrest of a Kitchener man who was arrested after Peel Regional Police linked him to two counterfeit cash scams involving thousands of dollars worth of precious metals, including one in Brampton. Police say the accused was already facing fraud charges and was out on a judicial release.