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Medford Craigslist sale turns into robbery; suspect at large Brandon Soares Monday Apr 24, 2017 at 10:57 AM Apr 25, 2017 at 6:56 AM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Medford police are looking for a man suspected of robbing a man of a video game console and some games at gunpoint last week, an incident originally arranged as a Craigslist sale between the victim and suspect. The robbery occurred just after 9 p.m. April 17 at the Rogue Valley Family YMCA parking lot, 522 W. Sixth St., according to a Medford police release. The victim, a 30-year-old man, met the suspect, 19-year-old Brandon Soares, through Craigslist, police said. The man had advertised his console, an XBox 1, and some games, and Soares reached out, expressing interest in purchasing them, police said. The two agreed to meet at 9 p.m. at the YMCA parking lot, though police don't believe either party is affiliated with the organization. Soares reportedly was dropped off near the location, then allegedly pulled out a handgun and robbed the man of the console and his iPhone 7, police said. Soares was last seen walking toward Oakdale Avenue near Fifth Street with the stolen property in a bag, police said. "This appears to be completely random, that they did not know each other," said Lt. Justin Ivens. Video surveillance confirmed the victim's story and helped police obtain a suspect description, he said. "That really assisted us," Ivens said. Police later identified the vehicle used to drop off Soares. On Friday, the investigation led police to homes in the 500 and 700 blocks of Pennsylvania Street, where police believed Soares had been staying. Police executed search warrants at both properties and eventually identified Soares as a suspect. He now has a warrant for his arrest on a charge of second-degree robbery. Court records show Soares does not have a prior felony criminal history in Oregon. He remains at large and is described by police as armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact Medford police at 541-770-4783 or 911, Ivens said. Craigslist transactions are "generally safe," police said, though participants in such sales should adhere to some general safety guidelines, police said. Transactions should be conducted during the day in a "well-populated" area, such as the campus that houses Medford police. Police also recommend not going alone, and to not invite strangers into your home. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.