Swampscott Craiglist Suspect in Custody

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man suspected of armed robbery in Swampscott in August, when he allegedly set up a local meeting through the Internet classifieds site Craigslist.

The suspect is Brice Charest, 23, of 172 Upper Guinea Road, Lebanon, Maine, and he is being held in York County Jail. 

Charest is supected of robbing a victim at the Four Seasons Motor Group, 460 Humphrey St., Swampscott. On Aug. 9, a man posed as the buyer of a Rolex watch at the Humphrey Street before taking the watch at gunpoint, Swampscott police Det. Tim Cassidy said earlier. 

Swampscott police detectives have been working with several police departments that have had similar Craigslist type robberies. 

In August, there was an attempted robbery in the McDonalds parking lot in Raymond, NH, police reported in a news release.  The suspect fled on foot.  The suspect had contacted the victim through Craigslist and arranged to meet the victim to purchase an expensive piece of jewelry.  

The suspect used a tracfone to contact the victim.  The suspect showed a black handgun during the incident, the report stated.  

There were also similar robberies in South Portland, ME;  Hampton, NH and Westfield, MA.  

Det. Steve Connors, with South Portland PD, was able to identify the suspect in his case as Brice Charest of Lebanon, Maine, the report stated.  

Charest was picked out by victims in photo line-ups.

Swampscott Police Detectives showed witnesses and the victim in their case a photo line-up, and Charest was again identified, the report stated. 

If any other departments have had similar incidents they can contact the Swampscott Police Detectives Unit for further info at 781-596-8869