Information sought on attempted armed robbery

Suspect's Vehicle

MESA COUNTY, Colo – Mesa County Sheriff’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a suspect and a potential witness to an attempted armed robbery.

The evening of January 17th, a 22-year-old female was attempting to purchase a vehicle advertised on Facebook Marketplace when an attempted armed robbery occurred.

The victim arrived at the agreed upon location, the car wash at 3242 F Road, just before 9:00 pm. Surveillance video shows the victim waiting in her dark colored SUV when a person walking approaches. The victim reported the person pointed at gun at her through the window. She immediately drove away and reported the incident to deputies.

Another angle of surveillance video shows the suspect exit from the passenger side of a white sedan before the attempted robbery. Then the suspect returns to that same car as it drives off.

Investigators are seeking information about the driver and passenger in the white sedan believed to be involved in this crime.

Potential Witness Vehicle

During the time of the incident, a truck with a utility bed was in a bay being washed and can be seen leaving in surveillance video a short time later. Investigators would like to speak with that person to determine if they witnessed anything that could assist the investigation.

If you have information about this case please contact the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 242-6707. You can also make an anonymous report through Mesa County Crime Stoppers by calling 241- STOP.

Online sales sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc are useful tools to buy and sell items. But Buyer Beware. If an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. Do your research and if you do decide to go ahead with the transaction agree to meet in a neutral location that is well lit with plenty of people around.

The Grand Junction Police Department does offer designated parking spaces for these types of exchanges. Learn more about the Safe to Exchange Zone.