2 arrested after string of Facebook Marketplace armed robberies in KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Two individuals have been arrested after a string of armed robberies in Kansas City that started on Facebook Marketplace.

Records filed with the Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court on Tuesday, Nov. 26, indicate that Kendall J. Finley, 19, of Kansas City, has been charged in connection to a string of Facebook Marketplace armed robberies.

A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just before 2:10 p.m. on Oct. 3, law enforcement officials were called to the parking lot of a local church with reports of an armed robbery.

When first responders arrived, they said they found a man who reported he had been in the parking lot to purchase a phone from an individual on Facebook Marketplace. When money was produced for the phone, the seller, later identified as Finley, pulled out a gun, robbed the man and told him not to call the police.

A description of the Facebook profile matched Finley’s appearance. An email given to investigators by a family member also linked Finley to the robbery.

Law enforcement officials noted that since Oct. 3, at least two other armed robberies as well as a third attempted armed robbery centered around Facebook Marketplace have been reported. Each incident happened less than half a mile from the scene of the original robbery and all of them have been connected to Finley.

In one case, investigators said Finley pointed a firearm at a 2-year-old child inside a vehicle and tapped on the glass with it. A warrant for data from his Facebook account put him at the scene of all four crimes. It was also found that a juvenile had been present and working with Finley at each crime.

Law enforcement officials noted that a search warrant was also signed off on for Finley’s home, which revealed one firearm, several firearm parts, accessories and live ammunition as well as several cell phones.

Finley was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Detention Center. The minor was also arrested and booked into the juvenile detention facility.

Finley has been charged with robbery and armed criminal action as a result. As of Friday, he remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing is expected at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, with a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 23.

Due to the age of the juvenile, no further information has been released.