Californian accused of robbing man during Facebook Marketplace Jeep sale near Miami airport

Steven Compton

MIAMI — Miami police made an arrest Tuesday in connection with an armed robbery that took place as the victim was trying to sell the suspect a Jeep Cherokee through Facebook Marketplace.

Police said the robbery happened June 14 at an apartment complex at 4271 NW 18th St. in the city’s Flagami neighborhood and across from Miami International Airport.

An arrest report states that Steven Compton, 45, of Gardena, California, contacted the victim about buying the SUV for $4,400 and initially agreed to meet at the victim’s home. But police said Compton claimed he had no way of getting there and asked the man to come to the complex.

Police said Compton and an unknown woman showed up and Compton said the car was for her.

“The victim stated he had a bad feeling, so he called his dad and told him he didn’t feel safe,” the report states.

According to police, Compton gave the victim $2,200 so the woman could take it for a test drive.

The woman said the Jeep “drove well and she wanted it” and Compton handed the victim the other $2,200, police said.

As Compton sat in the driver’s seat, police said “the victim then provided (him) with the vehicle’s title and began to call Uber to leave after the deal.”

But things then went south, according to police. Authorities said an argument began over whether the Jeep’s VIN was valid.

Police said Compton called a friend to check as the victim told him “that the paperwork on the vehicle is legal and that he would be willing to pay out of pocket for the Carfax so (he) would have peace of mind.”

Compton refused and said he would wait for his friend to tell him and the victim began to leave but Compton told him he couldn’t, police said.

The report states that the victim told Compton, “Let’s just call the cops. They can’t tell you if the VIN is valid.”

Police said Compton became angry, grabbed the victim and pushed him against a door panel, then pulled out a gun and aimed it at the man’s chest.

“The victim put his hands in the air and (Compton) began to go through the victim’s pockets,” the report states. “(Compton) felt the money inside the victim’s right front pocket and forcefully took the cash from inside his right pocket. (He) then walked backwards into his residence while still aiming the firearm at the victim.”

Authorities said the victim got back in the Jeep and went to a safe location to call the police. They said they would eventually find Compton at Northwest 22nd Avenue and 41st Street on Tuesday and take him into custody on charges of armed robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Compton “denied all allegations and stated he brandished the BB gun because the victim pulled out a screwdriver first,” the report states.

As of Wednesday, Compton was being held without bond in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

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About The Author
Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.