Man arrested in iPhone sale assault

Updated: Wednesday, 07 Nov 2012, 6:51 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 07 Nov 2012, 6:51 AM EST

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - A Newport News man has been arrested in connection with an assault and robbery during what was an iPhone sale via Craigslist gone wrong.

According to Harold Eley with the Newport News Police Department, officers responded to the Lochaven Apartment Complex for a robbery on Nov. 4.

Eley says a 28-year-old Newport News victim said he had searched Craigslist postings, looking for iPhones to purchase. He said he had contacted a seller about purchasing two iPhone 4 and one iPhone 5 for a total of $900 and had met the seller at Crestwood Suites, 11 Old Oyster Point Rd.

The victim says he had met up with the seller regarding the sale. The seller then drew a handgun, demanded the victim's money and phone then fled the parking lot in a vehicle.

The victim contacted police soon after the incident and described the suspect and the getaway vehicle. Police saw the suspect, 20-year-old Donell Jevonne Karsain Staton, walking in the 200 block of Lochaven Drive and arrested him.

Eley says the victim's cell phone, cash, and handgun were found in Staton's car. The handgun was also stolen.

Staton has been charged with robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a stolen firearm.

Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. WAVY is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Flag as inappropriate."