A Jamaica Plain man is accused of holding a man at gunpoint during a test drive in Winthrop, and then driving off with the vehicle that the alleged victim had listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace, according to police.
Youssouf Mboukoh, 20, has been charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, carjacking by firearm, and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
On April 29, Mboukoh — using the Facebook name “GrindTime” — arranged to meet with the alleged victim to buy a 2010 black Ford Fusion.
When Mboukoh met up with the alleged victim, Mboukoh and the victim went for a short test drive before stopping on Perkins Street in Winthrop.
When the vehicle stopped, another man opened the rear driver’s side door, allegedly pointing a gun at the victim and said, “Go away or I will shoot you.” The victim immediately got out and called for help while Mboukoh and the other man drove off, police said.
Investigators looked at surveillance video showing Mboukah and two other men arriving on Perkins Street on April 29 at about 4:30 p.m. in a white Honda Accord. One of the men is seen removing a large backpack from the trunk and re-entering the Honda. Mboukah then walked toward the victim’s address, while the other two waited in the Honda.
After the victim got out of his vehicle, Mboukah drove away with the Honda following closely behind.
Based on the video surveillance and information provided by the victim, investigators secured an arrest warrant for Mboukoh and placed him under arrest.
The other two men have not been identified.
“These individuals targeted this victim and then deceived and threatened him,” DA Kevin Hayden said in a statement. “This calculated robbery could have resulted in injuries or worse.
“I am glad the victim was not hurt and quickly got police involved,” he added. “This incident is a reminder of how important it is to use a safe exchange location when dealing with unknown purchasers to ensure everyone’s safety.”
The judge at Mboukoh’s arraignment ordered him held on $10,000 bail with conditions that he stay away from the victim and be confined to his home with GPS monitoring. Mboukoh will return to court on June 5 for a probable cause hearing.