WHEATLEY HEIGHTS MAN INDICTED FOR FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SCAM THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED PEDESTRIAN

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Jordan Behling, 23, of Wheatley Heights, is accused of Robbery in the First Degree and other related charges, for allegedly stealing cash from a prospective buyer from Facebook Marketplace and then driving away while the victim was hanging out of the defendant’s car window.

“This defendant’s alleged decision to steal from the victim is bad enough, but to take off and drive recklessly down the road with the victim hanging onto the car is unconscionable,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will seek justice for the victim and hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”

According to the investigation, on June 16, 2023, at approximately 7:17 p.m., the victim made arrangements to pick up a Play Station 5, which he arranged to purchase from Behling through Facebook Marketplace. When Behling, who was driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox, pulled up to the victim’s home, the victim handed him $280 in cash through the car window. Behling allegedly grabbed the money and sped off, while the victim was still partially inside of the car.

Behling then allegedly drove for two blocks while weaving in an effort to shake the victim off of the vehicle. Behling ultimately sideswiped a parked car, causing the victim to become dislodged from the vehicle. Behling then fled from the scene without stopping to check on the victim or reporting the incident to police.

The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated for serious physical injuries that he sustained in the crash. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.

At the scene of the crash, police officers observed car parts belonging to a Chevy Equinox. An investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department determined that the Chevy had allegedly been rented by a member of Behling’s family and used by Behling at the time of the crash. The vehicle was ultimately located by law enforcement at Behling’s family member’s home and impounded as evidence.

Further investigation revealed that Behling had allegedly stolen money from two other individuals under similar circumstances. In both prior incidents, the victims made arrangements with Behling through Facebook Marketplace to purchase a Play Station 5. Similarly, after the victims went to a location to exchange money for the Play Station 5, the defendant stole the money from them without delivering them the gaming console.

On January 9, 2024, Behling was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Timothy P. Mazzei, for the following charges:

• Two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Class B felonies;
• One count of Assault in the First Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
• One count of Leaving the Scene of an Incident Resulting in Serious Physical Injury, a Class E felony;
• One count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
• Two counts of Petit Larceny, Class A misdemeanors.

Justice Mazzei ordered Behling held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Behling is due back in court on February 12, 2024, and he is being represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Emma Henry of the Vehicular Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Walter Sosnowski of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Unit.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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