21-05-2025
Facebook Marketplace meetup at Pensacola Park allegedly turns violent: 4 arrests, 1 sought
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — Four people have been detained, and another person is on the loose after a man was robbed during a Facebook Marketplace transaction at a Pensacola park, according to an Escambia County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.
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According to the spokesperson, deputies responded around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday to Bristol Park, where a man reported he'd been beaten up and robbed of his wallet, phone, and cash by four men, who arrived in a white Malibu.
INCIDENT LOCATION:
The victim told deputies he had gone to the park to buy a cell phone that he had noticed on Facebook Marketplace.
The four men who allegedly attacked him drove off on Lucerne Avenue, the spokesperson said.
Law enforcement pinged the victim's cellphone, which reportedly was found to be in the area of Garfield Avenue.
Deputies responded to the area and found a white Malibu and suspects matching the description at a home on the 100 block of Garfield Avenue. They also saw a maroon vehicle in the yard.
According to ECSO, a deputy blocked the driveway, and the maroon vehicle went around the deputy's vehicle and fled toward Mobile Highway, which led to a chase.
Deputies used a PIT maneuver and stopped the vehicle at Michigan Avenue and Esperanto Drive. A PIT maneuver is a law enforcement tactic in which a pursuing vehicle forces another vehicle to turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop.
One passenger attempted to run off but was detained, the ECSO spokesperson said.
Another suspect was detained at the home on Garfield Avenue, and two other suspects at the home ran off and were later located.
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The ECSO spokesperson said four people have been detained, and a man from the maroon vehicle is still being sought.
Here are the suspects' names and the charges they face:
Deshawn Simpkins, 20: robbery of an individual
Terrance Mobley, 18: resisting without violence, robbery of an individual
Curtis Dale, 19: resisting without violence, robbery of an individual
Passenger of maroon vehicle that fled from Garfield Drive: Asontae Mason, 22, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
The driver of the maroon vehicle hasn't been located, News 5 has learned.
Law enforcement is working on identifying him; charges are pending upon identification.
This is a developing story. News 5 will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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