An attempted sale on Facebook Marketplace took a dangerous turn on Long Island when a man selling a Rolex watch found himself jumping onto the hood of the thief’s car in a desperate bid to prevent the robbery. Steve Mauro, the seller, expressed his determination to fight back, stating, “I was not going to roll over and let this man take it… without a fight.” The incident occurred in Massapequa Park, where Mauro had arranged to meet the buyer on Friday.
According to Nassau County Police, instead of handing over the money, the thief locked his doors and quickly sped away, knocking Mauro over in the process. Despite being thrown off the car hood, Mauro’s resilience was evident as he bravely tried to hold on. Unfortunately, the thief managed to escape with the luxury watch.
Officers patrolling the area coincidentally witnessed the incident, noting a gray Honda SUV reversing and colliding with Mauro. The impact caused him to lose his grip and be thrown to the ground. Fortunately, Mauro only sustained minor cuts to his hand, elbow, and knee and received immediate medical attention at the scene.
Mauro, an experienced Facebook Marketplace seller, expressed surprise at the turn of events, stating that the buyer did not raise any suspicions during their initial interactions. He immediately sought help from the nearby officers, shouting for them to apprehend the thief and recover his stolen Rolex.
Despite his efforts, the thief managed to evade capture, leaving Mauro empty-handed. In response, the police have offered anonymity and protection to anyone who comes forward with information about the theft through Nassau County Crime Stoppers.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers involved in online transactions, even on popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Both buyers and sellers should exercise caution and remain vigilant when engaging in such transactions to avoid falling victim to scams or thefts.
As the investigation into the Rolex theft continues, Mauro hopes that justice will be served, and the thief will be apprehended. In the meantime, this incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of prioritizing personal safety when conducting online transactions.
