Police say Penn Hills man's Facebook car ads were a setup to steal buyers' cash

Pittsburgh police said a man used Facebook marketplace to set up four purported vehicle sales around Homewood and then robbed potential buyers of the cash they brought, according to court papers.

Alan Green, 29, of Penn Hills is facing nine charges of robbery and three counts of conspiracy that were filed this week.

Police said the incidents happened between July 20 and 28. In all of the instances, the potential buyers responded to an advertisement for a vehicle for sale on Facebook.

Green’s phone records showed he communicated with the potential buyers and set up meetings with them to complete the sale, according to court papers. Either a person matching Green’s description or another individual met with the potential buyer, demanding cash at gunpoint in three instances, netting about $7,500.

One potential buyer was able to get away from the robber without handing over any cash and call police. Another potential buyer had their vehicle stolen while Green claimed to not be able to find a title for a Ford Explorer he supposedly was selling, authorities said. At least one of the buyers identified Green from a photo lineup and a second took a photograph of him during the meeting.

Green admitted to involvement in one incident but provided police with alternate explanations in the others during an interview, according to court papers.

An arrest warrant has been issued. No court action is scheduled.