Crooks set up fake car sale, try to rob pair who arrive for buy, cops say. But one victim has a gun — and deadly aim.



Suspects set up a fake vehicle sale on Facebook Marketplace and tried to rob a pair who showed up for a possible transaction Monday in Peoria, Illinois, police told WMBD-TV.

The problem — for the bad guys, that is — was that one of the victims was carrying a gun and showed off a deadly aim, at that.

What are the details?

Police said the purported sellers led the would-be buyers to an alley near the 2100 block of West Lincoln Avenue around 5 p.m., the station said — after which bullets started flying.

Once the two victims were in the alley, several people tried to rob them, police told WMBD. Amid a struggle, the would-be robbers fired shots — but so did one of the victims, the station said.

At the end of things, that gun-toting victim fired a single shot, hitting one of the robbery suspects, police told WMBD, adding that the shot suspect died at the scene.

“The investigation has determined that this was an attempted robbery setup, and there was no intention to sell a vehicle,” a police department spokesperson told the station.

What else?

The victim who pulled the trigger is a legal gun owner in another state and has a license to carry from one state to another, WMBD said, adding that he was released without any charges.

The station said police were still investigating the case, which the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office will review.

“The Peoria Police Department would like to remind the public to remain vigilant during Marketplace type transactions," the police department spokesperson added to WMBD. "Use good judgment when it comes to selecting meetup locations that are highly visible and preferably under video surveillance. The parking lot and lobby of the police department are also available to conduct such transactions."

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5 women allegedly attack female, steal items from her car, and flee. But victim fights back by crashing into their vehicle, leading to their arrests.



Five women attacked an adult female in a parking lot in the 3800 block of N. Columbus Ave. in Peoria, Illinois, just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, stole items from the victim's vehicle, and fled, according to police.

But the victim apparently made up her mind that her attackers weren't going to get away so easily.

What happened next?

Police said the victim immediately gave chase and soon crashed into the suspects’ vehicle on Adams Street and Woodlawn Avenue. The scene of the crash is about two miles south of where the alleged physical attack and theft took place.

One of the suspects sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital and later released into police custody, police said.

All of the suspects were transported to the Peoria Police Department for interviewing and were arrested, police said.

Who are the suspects?

The suspects are identified as Latticia L. Carter, 22; Danyelle A. Collins, 20; Miyana A. Garner, 18; Chantazea S. Roebuck, 18; and Marquisha D. Friend, 18, police said.

Police said all five women were charged with mob action; records show they all were released from Peoria County Jail the very next day — Wednesday.

Police added that all five received the following additional charges:

  • Carter was charged with theft.
  • Collins was charged with aggravated battery. Jail records indicate she had been charged in prior incidents for aggravated assault (June 2021) and aggravated domestic battery (September 2021).
  • Garner was charged with aggravated battery and burglary to a motor vehicle.
  • Roebuck was charged was aggravated battery.
  • Friend was charged with aggravated battery.

Anything else?

Readers commenting on a Belleville News-Democrat story about the incident which was reprinted in Yahoo! News were happy the victim took action:

  • "Even with the storm being depressing this story made my day better," one commenter wrote.
  • "Bravo to the lady for her action," another commenter said. "Must learn to protect [your] own property; law enforcement is not always there. Kudos to the courageous lady!"
  • "Good for her. Glad she is OK," another commenter wrote. "The other 5? Too bad they were not neutralized."
  • "Right on!" another commenter exclaimed. "Take back our streets, we've had enough!"
  • "Good for her. Too bad the cretins had only minor injuries. Let's face it; they will get off with a slap on the wrist. At least if they had serious injuries they would learn that actions have consequences. I hope the victim realizes the need to protect herself and gets a pistol permit," another commenter noted.

Numerous commenters also indicated concern about possible legal action against the victim; one predicted the suspects "will probably sue her for damages and pain and suffering!"

Due To Arson Attack, Pro-Life Center Suffers $250,000 In Damages

While the pro-life clinic is still recovering, Director Connie McClure promised the organization would 'continue to care for the women that need us.'

'Vigilant' and 'gracious' police officer acts when she notices a fallen American flag. She didn't know, but it was caught on video.



A police officer in Peoria, Arizona, noticed a fallen American flag while on patrol in the wee hours of the morning last week, and she acted. She didn't know it, but her patriotic action was caught on camera.

The Peoria Police Department's Officer Montes, a military veteran, saw a wind-damaged American flag lying on the ground at 3:23 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 9, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. So she picked the flag up, rolled it around the attached pole, and left it on the doorstep for the owner to find later that day.

It was all caught on video by a Ring doorbell camera, and the video was shared by the Peoria Police Department's Twitter account.

🇺🇸 While patrolling neighborhoods during the overnight hours, @PeoriaPoliceAZ Officer Montes, a #Military #Veteran,… https://t.co/Y1JekC6N6t
— Peoria Police (AZ) (@Peoria Police (AZ))1600026979.0
In a note shared with the police department, the flag's owner thanked Officer Montes.

"I don't know who she was, but a Peoria PD Officer on watch came to my house at 3:23am this morning. I have her on Ring video," the note reads. "My American flag had apparently separated from it's mount during the wind last night, she was vigilant and noticed, and she was gracious enough to roll it up and leave it by my garage door. If she's reading this, thank you and much respect."