Facebook Marketplace Incident: Attempted Theft & Assault in Firebaugh
FIREBOUGH, CA — A Firebaugh man was arrested for allegedly attempting to steal a laptop that was for sale and pepper-spraying its owner when they tried to get it back.
According to a press release by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, two individuals agreed to meet at West Ashlan and North San Diego avenues in Firebough on the morning of Friday, July 11, to complete a sale they had arranged through Facebook Marketplace.
The seller arrived with the item they were selling, a laptop computer, and the potential buyer allegedly took the laptop and ran away.
When the victim and two family members gave chase, the suspect allegedly dropped the laptop and pepper-sprayed the victim and their family members. The suspect then fled.
After the victim filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were able to identify the suspect as Jared Williams, 19.
Williams was located and arrested on suspicion of theft and illegal use of pepper spray. His bail was set at $30,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
