KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two people have been arrested after a string of armed robberies in Kansas City that started on Facebook Marketplace.

Documents filed Tuesday, November 26, in Jackson County, Missouri, District Court indicate that Kendall J. Finley, 19, of Kansas City, has been charged in connection with a series of armed robberies on Facebook Marketplace.

A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that officers were called to the parking lot of a local church shortly before 2:10 p.m. on October 3 with reports of an armed robbery.

When first responders arrived, they said they found a man who reported he was in the parking lot to buy a phone from a person on Facebook Marketplace. When the money for the phone was found, the clerk, later identified as Finley, pulled out a gun, robbed the man and told him not to call the police.

A Facebook profile description matched Finley’s appearance. An email provided to investigators by a family member also linked Finley to the robbery.

Law enforcement officials noted that at least two additional armed robberies, as well as a third attempted armed robbery, have been reported around Facebook Marketplace since Oct. 3. Each incident occurred less than half a mile from the site of the original robbery and all were linked to Finley.

In one case, investigators said Finley pointed a gun at a 2-year-old child in a vehicle and tapped it on the glass. A search warrant for data from his Facebook account brought him to the crime scene of all four crimes. It was also determined that a juvenile was present during each crime and worked with Finley.

Police officers noted that a search warrant was also signed for Finley’s home, where a firearm, several firearm parts, accessories and live ammunition were found, as well as several cell phones.

Finley was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Detention Center. The minor was also arrested and sent to the juvenile detention center.

Finley was subsequently charged with robbery and armed criminal action. As of Friday, he remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing is expected for Wednesday, December 4th at 10 a.m., with the preliminary hearing on December 23rd at 1:30 p.m.

Due to the teen’s age, no further information was released.

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.