Halton police warn of increasing buy-and-sell meetup thefts

Halton police are warning the community about the risks associated with buy-and-sell meetups after a series of thefts.

Investigators say between July 2025 and January 2026 they responded to 73 criminal incidents tied to buy-and-sell exchanges.

In a video posted to the social media platform X, Halton police show an incident in which a person had a gun pulled on them while attempting to sell a phone. The phone was subsequently stolen.

Officers are advising those planning on buying or selling property to use Buy and Sell Exchange Zones throughout the Halton Region.

If this is not possible, they recommend a space that is well-lit, public and popular.

READ MORE: Burlington’s annual music festival to return under new name, organizer