Fighting for Rutherford County

Murfreesboro police are advising residents to use safe exchange locations for online transactions following an armed robbery involving two teenagers selling items via Instagram. The police department parking lot offers a secure place for such exchanges.

The incident occurred at 11:58 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, when two teenage victims agreed to sell clothing to buyers they met online. The buyers arrived dressed in black and wearing ski masks. They brandished an AR-style pistol and a handgun, robbing the teens of their clothing and cash.

The suspect's vehicle left the scene of the robbery prior to officers arriving. The Real Time Crime Center data analysts were able to identify the vehicle with the assistance of license plate reader (LPR) technology.

Officers later stopped the car at North Rutherford Boulevard and Alumni Drive after receiving an LPR alert. Officers arrested three juvenile suspects who face aggravated robbery charges.

Police emphasize the importance of using the Meet Up Spot Internet Purchase Exchange Location in the police department’s front parking lot or choosing well-lit, populated areas for transactions. Conducting exchanges during daylight hours is also recommended for increased safety.

The three teenagers were taken to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center.