Georgetown Police issue warning after phone thefts during Facebook Marketplace meetups

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Georgetown Police are issuing a safety alert after multiple thefts were reported during Facebook Marketplace meetups in local neighborhoods.

According to investigators, suspects arranged to purchase iPhones in the Elkhorn Meadows and River Chase areas — then grabbed the phones and ran. None of the stolen devices have been recovered.

To help prevent future incidents, police are reminding residents to use the department’s Safe Exchange Zone at 550 Bourbon Street, located just outside the Georgetown Police Department. The area is well-lit, under video surveillance, and designed specifically for safe in-person transactions.

Officers also recommend the following precautions:

• Bring a friend when meeting buyers or sellers

• Choose public, populated areas

• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, walk away