Cops: Craigslist Rolex purchase turns into gunpoint confrontation

A 44-year-old Nassau man expecting to meet with a vendor he met online and purchase a Rolex watch was instead met by a man wielding a semiautomatic handgun Sunday afternoon, Nassau police said.

Fourth Squad detectives are investigating the incident that occurred at about 1:20 p.m. in Lakeview.

Police said the victim responded to a Craigslist ad selling a Rolex watch, and agreed to meet the vendor on the corner of Robin Court and Park Avenue. When the man arrived, the supposed vendor reached into a blue backpack and removed a black semiautomatic handgun, police said.

A struggle ensued and the suspect broke free and fled in an awaiting vehicle onto Eagle Avenue and then west onto the Southern State Parkway, according to a police report. Police described the vehicle as a blue GMC or Chevy SUV and the man as 6 feet tall with a muscular build, police said.

Nassau police ask anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. Callers will remain anonymous.