SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A man looking to purchase an iPhone through the OfferUp app was beaten and robbed by strangers, but his friend found a crafty way to get his stolen items back.
Adonay Chavez told 10News his friend wanted to buy a cell phone for his mother, so he turned to OfferUp -- an app that allows people to buy and sell things with their neighbors.
Chavez said his friend was alone when he went to meet a seller at a La Mesa park. Minutes after the meeting, Chavez said his friend called him with bad news.
According to Chavez, his friend told him the seller and another man attacked him and knocked him down before stealing his phone and wallet.
"He went to the hospital … they did tell him that he had a concussion," Chavez said.
Days later, the victim saw his own phone for sale on OfferUp.
"He recognized it was the same phone because it had the exact same crack," Chavez said.
A meetup was arranged, but this time Chavez went with his friend. They met the sellers at a well-lit gas station.
Chavez said, "I was just straight up with him (the seller). I was like, 'You stole this phone, right?'"
Chavez put the passcode in to unlock the phone, which worried the thieves. Chavez said the men took off.
"You never know; what if someone has a weapon or something? They were willing to assault my friend. I just kept my calm. I was a little bit nervous, but at the same time I was like, 'No, I'm just going to keep It calm,'" said Chavez.
Even with the phone back, the wallet is still missing.
The experience has Chavez and his friend warning their neighbors.
"If you're going to meet up with anyone from OfferUp, Craigslist, even Facebook, just be careful. Make sure to go with other people, make sure it's at a public place," said Chavez.
Chavez said he and his friend filed a police report regarding the incident.
