Woman robbed, man punched during online sale meet-up in Winnipeg parking lot

Winnipeg police are investigating after a woman was robbed in a Transcona parking lot where she went for an online sales meet-up on theweekend.

Police were called to Regent Avenue W. near Peguis Street on Saturday just before 9 p.m., said a news release issued Tuesday.

A 21-year-old woman told them she was there to sell headphones through an online classified forum, and shebrought a 30-year-old friend with her.

The woman who was robbed did everything right, Const. Tammy Skrabeksaid.

"It's really difficult to anticipate when somebody plans on doing this, and it's always unexpected," she said.

The woman left the vehicle to meet the prospective buyer, and the man grabbed the headphones, causing her to fall, she told police.

Her friend tried to intervene, but the man punched him, police said.

The woman then tried to pick up the headphones, but the man pulled a knife, grabbed them and ran, police said.

The thief is described as about 20 years old, aroundsix feet, and wearing sweatpants, a hoodie, a baseball cap, runners and a backpack.

Winnipeg police remind people who sell items online to meet in a public place like a coffee shop, a mall or outside of a police detachment where there's surveillance footage.

"I know people don't want to think that way, but unfortunately we have to," Skrabek said.

The woman was not injured in the robbery, and her friend suffered only minor injuries.

The thief is still at large. Police askanyone with information that might help investigatorsto call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at204-786-TIPS (8477).