Man robbed when he meets stranger to sell rifle near 21st, Rock Road

He wanted to sell a high-powered rifle to a buyer he’d been talking to on Facebook.

But the 24-year-old man ended up surrendering the weapon at gunpoint when he met the stranger he knew only as “Thomas” in the 1800 block of North Winstead shortly before midnight on Monday, Wichita police Lt. James Espinoza said. That’s southwest of 21st and Rock Road.

“Thomas” approached and pointed a gun at the rifle owner’s forehead, taking the 7.62 SKS rifle and leaving, Espinoza said.

“The victim did not notify police for an hour and a half,” Espinoza said.

The man said he tried to follow the suspect, but he lost track of where “Thomas” was and gave up. The 24-year-old was not injured in the armed robbery.

Residents intending to sell items to strangers they’ve met online should “go to a public place” such as a QuikTrip parking lot or a police substation, Espinoza said.

This story was originally published September 1, 2015 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Man robbed when he meets stranger to sell rifle near 21st, Rock Road."