Dennis RomeroA father was killed in a robbery when he went to South L.A. with his son to buy the teen a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone over the weekend, according to police and reports.
Neighbors told Fox 11 News that prospective buyers had come knocking on doors in recent days because someone advertised such a phone for sale on Craigslist. It all happened …
… at 92nd Street and Gramercy Place about 7:40 p.m. Saturday, police said. Father and son had driven up in a silver Mercedes ML SUV, according to news footage from the scene.
The dad, identified as 41-year-old Rene Balduena, 41, was shot three times after being approached by two suspects, police said.
CBS Los Angeles said the boy, about 14, held his dying father in his arms and yelled for help. Balduena was taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to LAPD.
The teen was treated for a graze wound, City News Service reported.
On Sunday, LAPD issued a warning about Craigslist scams and offered these tips:
Deal with folks you can meet in person and meet them in a public place, like a police station. If they refuse to meet, it may be a scam.
Never wire funds via money wiring services.
Understand that fake money orders and cashier's checks are common.
Craigslist is not involved in any transaction.
Avoid deals involving shipping and escrow services. Only a scammer will guarantee a transaction.
Do not rent housing or purchase goods without seeing them for yourself.
Never submit to background checks.
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