Police are now suggesting to have sneaker meet-ups take place at police stations. What do you guys think of this? Read the full story below and leave your comments below.
An Albany teen now facing a 25-year prison sentence for stealing another teen’s sneakers in a street deal is spotlighting what police say is a growing concern.
17-year-old Marquis Dixon was found guilty of first degree robbery Thursday after police say he arranged to buy sneakers from another teen through a Facebook post back in March. The pair met up in a McDonald’s parking lot where Dixon displayed what appeared to be a handgun. Police say he then took off with the victim’s sneakers.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says deputies respond to a violent crime involving shoes at least once a month and with the growing popularity of expensive sneakers some fear it could get worse.
“Everybody likes to look good,” Albany shoe-shopper Robert Shaw said.
Shaw says some of his friends buy new sneakers several times a week and they pay– “Arms and legs,” Shaw said. “It’s ridiculous.”
We asked streeTgame Central shoe salesman Niko Derito why this is. He told us that ever since Nike Air Jordan’s burst on the scene in the 1980’s the price of sneakers has climbed. Those prices spike higher when brands release retro styles or limited editions.
“Because they’re exclusive. Because we only get a limited amount,” Derito said.
Derito showed us the LeBron James style Nike’s for babies which cost $50. Some men’s Nike brand cost nearly $300 and those prices skyrocket when the brand gets a celebrity to sport a pair.
“Like Nike used to have the Kanye West sneakers and those could sell for like $5,000,” Derito said.
When the store runs out of these limited-edition shoes the sky is the limit. Consumer-set prices make the re-sale of shoes risky business especially since most of the deals are organized online.
“At the end of the day we tell people you don’t meet with strangers to do a transaction,” Colonie Police Chief Steve Heider said.
Police say opting for legitimate re-sale stores instead of street deals would kick this type of crime to the curb. The problem is that type of consignment shop will take a percentage so a private sale is likely to net a seller much more money.
“If you think you’re going to do something like that come and do it here in the lobby of the police department,” Heider said. “The person who’s got an illegitimate reason behind them probably won’t show up.”
Police also suggest checking the buyer or seller’s profile after a meeting is arragned. They say if the profile disappears don’t do business with them. Same thing if they abruptly change the meeting place. Also, police say if you are going to make one of these deals take someone with you and if something about the meeting does not feel right call police right away. – CBS
