Sumter County Sheriff Dennis warns of crimes related to Facebook Marketplace sales

Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis is asking Sumter residents to be cautious responding to Facebook Marketplace posts.

According to a news release from Mark Bordeaux, public information officer with SCSO, several armed robberies have taken place in the Wedgefield community involving persons who have responded to a Facebook post for a trailer listed for sale. After contacting the supposed seller, the unaware victims were asked to meet the "seller" on someone else's property to see and purchase the trailer. When arriving at the set location, the victims were met by subjects carrying handguns who then threatened them. The suspects demanded money at gunpoint and fled the scene.

Dennis is warning residents to beware of meeting subjects on personal property, away from the public and away from cameras. He urges residents to never conduct such transactions with anyone you do not personally know, never meet at a location that is not well lit, surrounded by witnesses and under the view of security cameras.

Residents are reminded that the Sumter County Sheriff's Office parking lot, 1281 N. Main St., has an area designated for making such transactions.

If you have information pertaining to these crimes, please call 911 or the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 436-2000, or report it anonymously for a reward at www.p3tips.com, or download and use the “P3” mobile app.