August 14, 2018, Canton, MI – On Saturday, Canton police officers responded to two unrelated calls of a private sale transaction that resulted in a theft. In both incidents, the victims had made contact with unknown individuals found on the internet, to either buy or sell electronics.
The first victim met in a restaurant parking lot to sell a gaming system. After handing the system to the suspect for inspection, the suspect drove off without paying. The second victim also chose to meet in a restaurant parking lot to purchase a tablet and phone, and after handing over cash, discovered the packaging did not contain the product.
Fortunately, both victims were able to get license plates from the suspect vehicles and quickly call the crimes in to the police department. Both suspects were located by police shortly after the crimes occurred.
Frank Benjamin McCurdy, IV, age 26 of Romulus, was arraigned on one count of Larceny by False Pretenses, a one-year misdemeanor. McCurdy was issued a Personal Bond by 35th District Court Judge Michael Gerou, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 24, 2018.
Mujtaba Nazar Al-Hakim, age 18 of Inkster, was arraigned on one count of Larceny by False Pretenses, a one-year misdemeanor. Al-Hakim was issued a Personal Bond by 35th District Court Judge Michael Gerou, with his next court appearance scheduled for September 7, 2018.
The Canton Police Department recommends individuals who buy or sell products with unknown individuals conduct their transactions in the lobby of their local police department. Canton’s lobby is open and surveillance camera recorded 24-hours a day.
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