2 accused of selling 'new' iPhones that are boxes of rocks

Caleyal Roberson, 18, and Angelo Bethea, 19, were charged Monday with two counts each of obtaining property by false pretense, conspiracy, attempting to obtain property by false pretense and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Roberson and Bethea had posted an ad to “OfferUp,” an online marketplace for local transactions, offering new Apple iPhones for $400, Maj. Kelvin Crumpler said.

The boxes were wrapped in plastic, making it appear that they were new. They would meet victims in different places and collect money from the buyer, who would discover the box was filled with rocks, Crumpler said.

One victim, who met the men at McDonald’s on the U.S. 401 Bypass, quickly created a fake profile and responded to the men that she would like buy another phone.

She arranged to meet Roberson and Bethea at the Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries at 111 U.S. 401 Bypass. Officers, who were on the scene, arrested the men, Crumpler said. Bail was set at $10,000 each.