Durham police caution online sellers after shooting, carjacking, chase

Durham police are reminding those who sell goods online to arrange those sales in public, with plenty of backup, after a sale that turned violent.

Posted 3:24 p.m. Nov 18, 2019 — Updated 3:24 p.m. Nov 18, 2019

Sarah Krueger

, WRAL reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham police are reminding those who sell goods online to arrange those sales in public, with plenty of backup, after a sale that turned violent.

Police say a 19-year-old man planned to sell a cell phone through the OfferUp app. When he met with the buyers – two other men – near the intersection of Angier and Laurel avenues, they robbed him, pistol-whipped him and shot him before driving away in his 2007 Toyota Camry, police say.

A short time later and about a mile away, police spotted the stolen car on North Alston Avenue. The driver refused to pull over, ran a red light, then hit another Durham police cruiser that was traveling eastbound on Geer Street.

Police have arrested Demario Cates, 17, and charged him with robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injuries, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit robbery. They are searching for a second suspect in the crime.

Joseph Demario Cates (Photo: Durham police)

Police offered the following tips for private sales arranged on the internet: buying and selling items off the internet

Be cautious and trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, leave
Meet in a public place
Meet during daylight hours
Tell a friend or family member where you are going
Take a friend with you, if possible
Do not carry large amounts of cash
Do not divulge personal information
Be wary of last minute changes in the meeting location
Save any and all communications with the seller/buyer (text messages, emails, voicemails, etc.)

Durham police, the Durham Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies have designated safe places for those transactions, often a set of parking spots outside the agency's headquarters, monitored by video cameras and patrolled by sworn officers.

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