According to WMC, the Covington Police Department arrested a man involved in a Facebook catfishing scheme.
On July 4, police responded to Save-A-Lot on Highway 51, where a man reported he was in town to meet someone named “Ariel” from Facebook. The man was supposed to meet Ariel at the Sunrise Apartments to celebrate the July 4 festivities. However, upon arrival, a man dressed in black jumped into his vehicle, held him at gunpoint, and demanded $500 via Apple Pay.
After the initial robbery, the suspect continued to text the victim, demanding another $500 and sending photos of the victim’s home while making threats.
Detectives tracked the suspect to a home on Shelton Street. On July 12, they called the phone number associated with the crime, and 27-year-old Demarieo Howard answered. Howard was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, theft, and aggravated assault with no injury.
He was taken to Tipton County Jail and given a bond of $150,000.
