On December 4, Centralia police received a call about an armed robbery at Borst Park.
Police said a person selling an item online agreed to meet the buyer at the park.
Once at the park, the buyer got into the seller’s car and pulled out a gun.
According to police, the suspect hit the buyer in the face with the gun and robbed him.
“To address the safety concerns surrounding this incident in the strongest possible terms, I would like to emphasize that this was an isolated incident,” interim Police Chief Andy Caldwell wrote. “Within 24 hours of the crime taking place, the main suspect was taken into custody.”
The investigation also led to the arrest of a second suspect and the recovery of the weapon police say was used in the robbery.
“The Centralia Police Department is made up of people who care about the quality of life in our community and want our community to feel safe,” Caldwell continued.
Caldwell told his residents to be aware of their surroundings, trust their feelings and not be easy targets during the holiday shopping season.
Caldwell also recommends that if you’re selling on social media, meet in a well-lit public place with cameras for an extra layer of safety.
Police ask that if you have any information about the Borst Park robbery, please call Centralia Police at (360) 330-7680 or (360) 740-1105.
