PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — What began as a routine Facebook Marketplace sale left a Portland man with serious injuries and a warning for others, as police investigate a series of violent crimes linked to online meetups across the area.

The man, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said he is still recovering nearly five months after a Jan. 21 encounter in Northeast Portland’s Cully neighborhood.

He told KOIN 6 News he arranged to meet a buyer through Facebook Marketplace to sell an iPhone. Instead, he said the buyer grabbed the phone and ran.

“I just immediately reacted and instinctively started chasing after him,” he said.

The man noted the suspect ran to a waiting getaway car. He chased after the vehicle and reached the front of it before being thrown to the pavement.

“I rolled off the car, and as soon as I hit the pavement and started to stand up, my right leg and knee turned into jello,” he said.

The incident left him with a broken ankle, knee injuries and a concussion. He said these injuries forced him into a wheelchair during part of his recovery and required multiple medical leaves from work.

“That changed my life,” he added.

Despite the injuries, he said he is grateful the outcome was not worse. Further, he’s sharing his experience in light of law enforcement agencies across the Portland area investigating other violent crimes connected to Facebook Marketplace transactions.

Last week, Tualatin police arrested a 20-year-old man accused of firing shots at sellers during a Marketplace meetup involving counterfeit cash. No one was injured.

Days earlier, detectives said a gunman shot and robbed a man during another Marketplace transaction in Northeast Portland.

Police say the two most recent cases are not connected, but the message is the same.

The Portland man said buyers and sellers should meet in highly visible public locations, such as coffee shops, businesses or police stations whenever possible.

Police also recommend meeting in well-lit locations with security cameras, bringing a friend, keeping a cellphone nearby and trusting your instincts if something feels wrong.

The warning comes as more Americans turn to online marketplaces to supplement their income.
According to a recent survey of more than 1,300 Americans conducted by Omnisend, 28% reported having a side hustle.

The survey also found many use platforms such as Facebook Marketplace to help cover bills, pay down debt or boost their income. Facebook Marketplace was among the most popular selling platforms cited by respondents.

Police say thieves often target high-value items such as cars, electronics, phones and designer goods.

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, advises users to cancel transactions immediately and report suspicious activity if something feels unsafe or unusual.

As for the man injured during the January meetup, he hopes the person responsible learns from what happened.

“I would challenge you to learn from this and grow from this and be a better person for that,” he said.

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