Santa Clarita deputies are using a robbery that occurred earlier this week to remind residents of the safe exchange zones the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station offers to the community for online sales.

On Monday evening, a Santa Clarita resident met with a man interested in buying his  old cell phone, according to sheriff’s officials.

The two men started communicating through an online selling and trading website, and eventually agreed to meet in Canyon Country.

But the man wasn’t really interested in buying the phone, officials said. He grabbed the phone, pushing the victim as he ran past a security gate.

After the robber ran through the open gate, an accomplice quickly slammed the barrier shut, blocking the victim’s path.

The following day, the victim filed a police report with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and provided information to detectives that led them to believe one of the robbers may be trying to sell the stolen cell phone on the same social media website and in the same area.

Due to the victim’s detailed description of the first robber, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team and assisting detectives were able to locate and arrest a suspect on Thursday.

The victim’s cell phone was recovered from the suspect, who deputies declined to identify because he is a minor.

No second suspect has been arrested and the case is being actively investigated.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is using this incident to remind everyone to be safe when using the internet, social media, applications and other selling, buying and trading forums when conducting a transaction.

The safe exchange zones for online buyers and sellers to meet to conduct their transactions are located in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station front lobby doors.

The areas are painted green and have signs designating them as a “Safe Exchange Zone” under video surveillance.

If someone interested in buying an electronic device wants to make sure the item work, they can go inside to the lobby of the station and use a plug there, according to sheriff’s officials.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s station is located at 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway.

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