STAFF REPORT
Body
WAXAHACHIE – Facebook Marketplace Bandit, Jesse Ray Hernandez, was arrested by Waxahachie Police for nine outstanding warrants – two for aggravated robbery – after an exhaustive manhunt for attempting to murder a father and son.
Hernandez used Facebook Marketplace in his scheme to advertise an undervalued Tesla car for quick sale using various claims, such as having an ill child, for the purpose of luring cash buyers with the intent to rob them at gunpoint of their purchase money.
While the investigation continues into Hernandez, nicknamed the “Facebook Marketplace Bandit,” he has been identified in attempting to rob at least 20 people.
His criminal enterprise was set up to make it easier for him than robbing a bank, and with lesser consequences, and earning him a payday of tens of thousands of dollars per victim in minutes.
On Feb. 5, 2022, a father and son met Hernandez in Waxahachie to purchase a Tesla vehicle.
A hooded Hernandez appeared at the purchaser’s car with a large caliber gun aimed at the father’s head, and demanded the money be handed over or be killed.
After the cash was in hand, Hernandez turned his gun on the purchaser’s vehicle and riddled it with eight bullets.
Hernandez shot the father in the back – who survived – while the son ducked two bullets which pierced his headrest.
Audio recorded interactions were used to locate Hernandez by the Waxahachie Police, who was identified by matching his voice and other evidence, including a sketch of the suspect drawn by the Texas Rangers identification unit in Austin.
There was an ensuing manhunt to find Hernandez to stop his crime spree. After his capture, his bond was set at $500,000, and he is currently being held by the Ellis County Sheriff.
Investigators are requesting anyone who has been a victim of a similar crime in the local area or has knowledge of the activities of Hernandez to come forward, on a confidential basis, and contact the Waxahachie Police Department, Investigator Glidewell, at (469) 309-4410.
If you have been impacted by this scam, report this crime to the police department in the city where it occurred.
Facebook Marketplace purchasers are encouraged to meet at a public facility to avoid becoming the next victim.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.
