A 19-year-old Chicago man lured six victims into armed robbery traps through Facebook Marketplace, targeting sellers advertising Air Jordan sneakers for sale in the weeks leading up to Christmas, prosecutors say.
Bryant Welch used a Facebook account registered in his name with the username “Serving Best Deals” to contact victims who had posted shoes for sale online, according to authorities.
The Chicago Police Department issued a community alert about the crime pattern shortly before Christmas, warning residents about an armed robber responding to advertisements for Air Jordans and other Nike brand shoes on the marketplace platform.
Prosecutors said the robberies followed a similar pattern: Welch arranged meetings with sellers, then confronted them with firearms, threatened to kill the victims, and stole the shoes without paying.
The first holdup occurred on December 3 at 1:30 p.m. in the 1700 block of West Steuben Street, where prosecutors say a 20-year-old man was robbed of Jordan 4 Black Cat shoes as Bryant brandished a handgun equipped with a laser sight and an extended magazine.
The following day, December 4, at 4:15 p.m., an 18-year-old man was robbed of Jordan shoes at gunpoint in the 1700 block of West Edmaire Street.
On December 10 at 1:37 p.m., a 26-year-old man was robbed of Jordan shoes in the 11300 block of South Davol Street. This time, a criminal complaint says, Welch was armed with a rifle.
December 18 saw two separate robberies. At 5:20 p.m., two men, ages 19 and 20, were robbed of Jordan shoes at gunpoint in the 1600 block of West Monterey Avenue. About three hours later, a 25-year-old man was robbed of Jordan shoes at gunpoint in the 11000 block of South Ashland Avenue.
Prosecutors said all six victims identified Welch in photo lineups.
Judge Ankur Srivastava ordered Welch detained pending trial during a court hearing.
