Craigslist ad leads to man’s attack, robbery

EVERETT — An online ad for cheap tire rims led a man into a trap late Tuesday.

Police arrested three people who scammed a 23-year-old Everett man into a meeting where they beat and robbed him, Everett police Lt. Jim Duffy said.

The man responded to a listing on Craigslist, a popular classified Web site, and arranged to meet the sellers at the QFC on Everett Avenue. Claiming car trouble, the sellers then got the man to move to the dark, deserted Lombard Street, where they beat him with a club and stole his money.

Officers quickly arrested the suspects, two men and a woman from the Everett area. Police are investigating whether the case is related to a similar incident in Marysville earlier this month, Duffy said.

Be on guard when making business deals through Craigslist and other Web site, he said. When arranging to meet with a stranger, don’t go alone and always ask to meet in a well-lit, public place.