Man arrested for dupping couple on Craigslist

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) - A Jacksonville man is relieved to have his van back. He told FOX 35 off camera that he placed an ad on Craigslist, but a thief took off with it during a test drive. Orlando Police Sgt. Barb Jones says another crook then sold it to a couple in Volusia County.

"The van ended up being posted on Craigslist, people in Ormond Beach say they bought the van. Then the van ended up getting stolen right out of their driveway," Sgt. Jones said.

According to investigators, the victims, Edward and Leslie Walters found the same van back on Craigslist and called the police. Pretending to be different buyers, the couple then contacted the seller and had him go to an apartment complex, where investigators were waiting.

That's where cops arrested 20-year old Anthony Parkhurst after the victims identified him. "We think there might be somebody else involved," Sgt. Jones said. Investigators say the suspect would take vehicles for a test drive and then fail to return them.

In some cases he would even call the owners, telling them he was stuck in traffic to buy more time. "We have about 5 cases where it's the same kind of the thing dealing with Craigslist," Sgt. Jones said.

Officers have five other cases from Port Orange to Jacksonville. They say the thieves often change the year of a car online, so buyers won't be suspicious if the price is too low. Investigators say they'll also provide a forged title to the car.

"There is the expression I've got a steal here, well literally these are real steals," Sgt. Jones said.

That's why investigators have some advice. "If somebody wants to get it done real quick that should be a red flag." Meanwhile the suspect, Anthony Parkhurst was released from jail on a $2000 bond.