A Phoenix man got his stolen car back last week after setting up his own sting and alerting police.
Police say they were contacted by the victim on July 15, after he saw his stolen vehicle on "OfferUp" and made arrangements for his friends to meet the seller. The victim also arranged for officers to be at the meeting.
The victim's car was reportedly stolen from him at gunpoint a few days earlier and he was forced into the trunk of the vehicle.
After finding his car on "OfferUp," he arranged for the suspect, 20-year-old Laton Jerome Thompson, to meet some friends of his that would pose as buyers.
As the victim listened on a phone, and police watched, his friends met Thompson, looked over the car and took it on a test drive.
Police stopped the vehicle near 35th Avenue and Camelback Road but Thompson ran off. He was captured by police after entering a woman's home.
The victim recognized Thompson as one of the suspects that robbed him.
Thompson has been charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, trespassing, and trafficking in stolen property.
