Jamaica Plain man charged with gunpoint larceny of vehicle advertised on Facebook Marketplace
BOSTON, May 8, 2023 - A Jamaica Plain man is facing charges for holding a man at gunpoint during a test drive in Winthrop and then driving off with the vehicle the victim had listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
YOUSSOUF MBOUKOH, 20, was charged in East Boston BMC on May 3 with larceny of a motor vehicle, carjacking by firearm, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Judge John McDonald ordered Mboukoh held on $10,000 bail with conditions that he stay away from the victim and be confined to his home with GPS monitoring. Mboukoh will return to court June 5 for a probable cause hearing.
On April 29, Mboukoh, using the Facebook name of GrindTime, arranged to meet with the victim to purchase a 2010 black Ford Fusion the victim had listed on Facebook Marketplace. Mboukoh asked if he could test drive the vehicle. Mboukoh and the victim went for a short drive before stopping on Perkins Street in Winthrop. When the vehicle stopped, another man opened the rear driver’s side door, pointed a gun at the victim and said “go away or I will shoot you.” The victim immediately got out and called for help while Mboukoh and the other man drove off.
Investigators obtained surveillance video showing Mboukah and two other men arriving on Perkins Street on April 29 at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a white Honda Accord. One of the men is seen removing a large backpack from the trunk and re-entering the Honda. Mboukah walks toward the victim’s address while the other two wait in the Honda.
After the victim is ordered to exit the vehicle, Mboukah drives away with the Honda following closely behind.
Based on video surveillance and information provided by the victim investigators secured an arrest warrant for Mboukoh and placed him under arrest on May 2.
The other two men have not been identified.
“These individuals targeted this victim and then deceived and threatened him. This calculated robbery could have resulted in injuries or worse. I am glad the victim was not hurt and quickly got police involved. This incident is a reminder of how important it is to use a safe exchange location when dealing with unknown purchasers to ensure everyone’s safety,” Hayden said.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications