A Facebook Marketplace seller in Palm Coast thought he had negotiated a $7,000 jewelry sale. Instead, Flagler County deputies say the buyer left the meeting wearing the necklace, then later demanded money for its return.
William Walker, 44, of St. Augustine, is accused of stealing a 22-inch, 10-karat gold chain during a July 1 exchange at a Palm Coast barbershop.
Detectives obtained a warrant charging him with dealing in stolen property, grand theft, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The charges are allegations. Walker has not been convicted in the Flagler County case.
The Buyer Arrived With a Story About Cash
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the victim listed the necklace for sale on Facebook Marketplace and negotiated a $7,000 price with a prospective buyer later identified as Walker.
The two agreed to meet the next day at a business to complete the transaction. Deputies said Walker arrived in an Uber with an unidentified woman. According to the victim, Walker said the woman needed to go to an ATM to get the remaining cash.
While the seller waited inside the barbershop, deputies said Walker walked to a window, tapped, waved, and quickly left the business wearing the necklace. He then got into a vehicle occupied by the woman and the Uber driver, and the vehicle drove away.
An Envelope and a Return Demand Changed the Case
After Walker left, the victim found an envelope marked “$1,200,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. Instead of cash, deputies said the envelope contained toilet paper and a St. Augustine hotel key.
Investigators later connected the envelope to Walker. On July 7, deputies said the victim received a text message demanding $1,200 in exchange for the necklace’s return.
The victim agreed to meet Walker the next day, but the Sheriff’s Office said communication stopped after several attempts to “purchase” the necklace back and after Walker allegedly demanded partial payment before returning it. Detectives then obtained the arrest warrant.
Deputies Traced the Vehicle and Recovered the Necklace
Detectives identified the vehicle and confirmed Walker’s identity during the investigation. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit then coordinated with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after learning Walker was already in custody in Jacksonville on unrelated charges.
The stolen necklace was recovered when Walker was arrested, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He remained in custody in Duval County and was expected to face the Flagler County charges after those proceedings were completed.
A Public Business Is Not the Same as a Safe Exchange Zone
The meeting happened at a barbershop, but Sheriff Rick Staly still pointed residents to designated safe exchange locations monitored by cameras.
The Sheriff’s Office recommends its Sheriff’s Operations Center at 61 Sheriff E.W. Johnston Drive in Bunnell and the Palm Coast District 2 office at 14 Palm Harbor Village Way.
The Warning Is to Protect the Deal Before the Item Leaves
Sellers can reduce risk by meeting at a law enforcement safe exchange zone, bringing another person, confirming payment before handing over the item, avoiding cash stories that require someone to leave and return, and refusing requests to wear or test expensive jewelry before the sale is complete.
Suspected marketplace theft should be reported to local law enforcement and the platform where the sale began. Sellers should also preserve all messages before blocking the buyer or deleting the listing.