LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Los Angeles Police said 23-year-old Cal State Northridge student Abdullah Alkadi disappeared last month while showing a prospective buyer the Audi A6 sports car he was selling on Craig's List for more than $30,000.
"The investigation determined that Agustin Fernandez killed Mr. Alkadi to keep both the Audi and the purchase price," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
Police say the suspect, 28-year-old Fernandez of Long Beach, fatally stabbed Alkadi at the student's Northridge home and dumped his body near the I-10 freeway in Palm Desert, between the Cook and Washington exits.
Detectives recovered Alkadi's body last Thursday, hours after Fernandez was arrested.
"Mr. Fernandez made statements that led us to the body," Beck said.
Fernandez faces one count of murder with the special circumstances of murder during a robbery and murder during a carjacking.
Authorities urge people to take extra precautions when buying and selling things online using sites like Craig's List and E-Bay.
"The time that the money is exchanged is a dangerous time for people that are selling vehicles or something of large value like this," Beck said.
Here are some ways to protect yourself when buying and selling through the internet:
- Police say don't use your full name, address or phone number.
- In photos, just show the item for sale and not any identifiable people or places.
- If you have to call a buyer or seller, block your phone number.
- When it comes time to meet for a transaction, meet in a public place like a police station or a bank.
- Never meet alone or at night.
"And most importantly, if it feels wrong, if there's something that just doesn't feel right, it's probably not right and you should leave the area or report it to police," said Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch Englander.
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Source: kesq.com
