Calgary, Alberta—A local resident is sharing his alarming experience after a violent encounter at his home, highlighting the risks associated with online sales. Jason was selling a computer through Facebook Marketplace when two men arrived at his southeast Calgary residence, initially appearing as typical buyers. However, their true intentions quickly became apparent when they unleashed bear spray and assaulted him.
Thinking that the men’s covered faces were simply a response to the chilly weather, Jason welcomed them into his home in the Dover neighborhood. Once inside, the men removed their masks and one even took off his shoes, a move that suggested they were intent on conducting a legitimate transaction.
The situation took a menacing turn when the suspects demanded to take the computer without knowing its condition. Suddenly, one attacker sprayed Jason in the face with bear spray. Security footage captured the ensuing chaos, which spilled from the home to the front yard as Jason’s wife joined the fray in an attempt to help.
“I couldn’t see anything; it was like a wall of darkness,” Jason recounted. “We were both screaming from the pain. My main focus was protecting my wife. They dragged me out and began hitting me.” In the midst of the struggle, he heard his wife call out in distress, prompting him to release one of the assailants. The attacker dropped the stolen laptop, but the suspects managed to flee after a brief struggle inside the house.
In the aftermath, Jason learned of other similar incidents across Calgary, raising his concern that the same suspects might be responsible for another robbery involving an elderly man in the northwest part of the city. “They pushed him down to the ground, and that could have easily turned fatal,” he said.
The Calgary Police Service acknowledged the rise in such violent encounters linked to online marketplaces. Inspector Jason Walker described the recent attack as troubling but part of a broader pattern. “It’s alarming when these incidents occur,” Walker stated. “These crimes are not confined to one area; we’re seeing it across the city.”
Authorities are advising residents to exercise caution when arranging meetings to buy or sell items online. Recommended precautions include meeting in public spaces, such as police station parking lots, instead of homes. Additionally, they urge sellers to be wary if potential buyers seem overly eager or press for quick transactions, and to always trust gut instincts regarding safety.
As he reflects on the ordeal, Jason hopes that by sharing his story, he can help prevent similar incidents from happening to others. “Ideally, we want to see this type of violence stopped,” he said. “No one should have to go through what we did.”