Thieves use shotguns to ambush 21-year-old man who was selling iPads for extra cash to support himself and his pregnant wife
HOUSTON – Houston Police are looking for two men who were seen on surveillance camera using shotguns to rob 21-year-old Eduardo Zavala earlier this year.
Desperate to support her fiancé and their growing family, Zavala says he turned to the internet to sell his iPad that he bought to edit images for his photography business.
SEE ALSO: Tips for buying and selling things online safely
“I really wanted to sell that tablet to make some money, because we’re just starting out right now. She is 20, I am 21. We are looking to start a life together, we have a baby on the way,” Zavala said.
Eduardo says he met a man named Joshua on WhatsApp and accepted an offer of $600 for the iPad.
On March 12, Zavala says he met Joshua in a store parking lot about the transaction. Suspect showed up in an SUV with another man. Zavala says neither of them seemed suspicious at first.
Zavala went on to say that the man had told him he was low on cash and asked him to follow him to his mother’s house just a couple blocks away. Needing the money, Zavala agreed.
A doorbell camera captured what happened next.
Police say the two men got out of the SUV with shotguns, took the iPad from Zavala’s car and then drove off.
“It was broad daylight, they didn’t have a mask or anything,” Zavala said.
He took photos of the getaway vehicle, but police confirm the SUV’s license plates were stolen. Zavala believes this isn’t the first time thieves have used this tactic to find victims.
“I’m pretty sure it was a fake name, [and a] fake photo he had,” she said.
Zavala shared his story in hopes of preventing others from making the same mistake when transacting on the internet.
“Get more information about people, maybe their name, maybe see their ID before making any transactions,” he said.
Zavala says he’s a little shaken by the incident, but he doesn’t hold a grudge.
“I’m pretty sure they’re going through something too, but that doesn’t mean they should go to that point to threaten someone’s life,” Zavala said.
The suspects are believed to be in their 20s and 20s.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. You can contact the agency anonymously by calling 713-222-TIPS.
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