ARREST MADE IN “CRAIGSLIST” IPAD ROBBERY SERIES

(San Diego, CA) San Diego Police Department Mid City Division detectives have arrested a suspect for a series of recent robberies linked to “Craigslist” postings that occurred in the Talmadge, Mt. Hope and Corridor neighborhoods.  Keith Randall Smith, 34, was arrested for the crimes.  A blond female accomplice remains at large.

According to San Diego Police, on July 31 at about 9:30 p.m., the suspect responded to a posting on “Craigslist” advertising an Apple iPad for sale. The suspect approached the victim’s Talmadge apartment alone, but said he needed to show the iPad to his girlfriend. The suspect left, but returned moments later with a white female. As the victim was demonstrating the iPad features to the female, the male suspect pulled a small black gun from his jacket and threatened the victim. The suspects took the iPad. The victim was not injured.

On August 1 at about 8:30 p.m., the suspect contacted the victim inquiring about an iPad listed for sale on “Craigslist”. The victim provided the suspect with directions to her home in Mt. Hope. The suspect arrived in a white, 2 door vehicle. He was invited into the victim’s back yard to look at the iPad. As the victim displayed the iPad, the suspect produced a black handgun and picked up the iPad. He calmly walked out of the victim’s yard.

Later that night, just before 10:00 p.m., the suspect called the victim regarding a posting on “Craigslist” advertising an Apple iPad for sale. The victim gave the suspect directions to her Corridor neighborhood. The victim and her mother walked to the corner near their home where they saw the suspect arrive in a small white car driven by a white female.

The suspect asked the victim to show the iPad to his girlfriend in the car. As the victim was showing the iPad to the female, the male suspect got into the passenger side of the car and attempted to close the door, but the victim’s mother held the door open. The suspect removed a black handgun from his jacket pocket and pointed it at the victim. The suspect left the area in the white car.

Detectives identified the suspect as Keith Randall Smith (born 06-07-77). Detectives arrested Smith, 34, without incident at his Mission Valley residence. Two of the stolen iPads and the handgun used in the robberies were also recovered.

Smith’s female companion remains at large. She is described as a white female, 20-25 years old, 5’4” with a thin build and blond hair. At the time of the robberies, she was wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants. Anyone with information about these crimes, including the identity or whereabouts of the female is asked to call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000 or the Mid City Division at (619) 516-3000.