Craigslist: Stolen items up for sale

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Criminals are continuing to use Craiglist to sell stolen goods, and victims are starting to catch on.

The Austin Police Department has issued arrest warrants for two individuals, Michael Francis Diamond, 19, and Luther Jackson, 38, who are accused of stealing items and posting them for sale online.

The New Hope Church , located at 6020 S. 1st St., was burglarized overnight on June 27. The pastor told police that someone forced open a locked door and stole musical equipment and a safe.

On July 14, police spoke to the leader of the New Hope Church music ministry who said that he found the stolen musical equipment for sale on Craigslist. He reported that he met up with Diamond and bought the items.

After receiving the report, detectives made contact with Diamond, who lives 2/10 of a mile away from the church. Diamond told officers someone else gave him the items to sell. Police spoke to that individual and determined that Diamond is responsible for entering the church without consent and stealing the items.

Diamond is now facing a burlgary of a building charge, a state jail felony. APD  said he has not yet been arrested.

In a separate incident, police recieved a burglary of a residence report on July 22 at 10701 S. IH 35. The victim told APD that his Elite 2007 Road Bike, valued at $2,000, was stolen.

Immediately after the burglary, the victim initiated a search on Craigslist for a new bike as well as his stolen bike.

According to the arrest warrrant, on Aug. 1, the victim discovered that his bike was posted for sale by Luther Jackson on Craigslist and alerted police.

APD notes in the warrant that Jackson is currently being investigated by the narcotics division and detectives were prepared to serve him with a search warrant. The warrant was then adapted to include the search for the bike.

During the execution of the search warrant on Aug. 4, officers located the victim's bike.

Jackson is facing a theft charge for receiving or concealing stolen property, a state jail felony.