A Wheatley Heights man has been indicted for allegedly stealing cash from a prospective buyer from Facebook Marketplace and then driving away while the victim was hanging out of the defendant’s car window.
On June 16, 2023, at approximately 7:17 p.m., the victim made arrangements to pick up a Play Station 5, which he arranged to purchase from Jordan Behling, 23, through Facebook Marketplace. When Behling, who was driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox, pulled up to the victim’s home, the victim handed him $280 in cash through the car window. Behling allegedly grabbed the money and sped off, while the victim was still partially inside the car.
Behling then allegedly drove for two blocks while weaving in an effort to shake the victim off the vehicle. Behling ultimately sideswiped a parked car, causing the victim to fall out of the vehicle. Behling then fled from the scene without stopping to check on the victim or reporting the incident to police.
The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was treated for serious physical injuries that he sustained in the crash. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
At the scene of the crash, police officers observed car parts belonging to a Chevy Equinox. An investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department determined that the Chevy had allegedly been rented by a member of Behling’s family and used by Behling at the time of the crash. The vehicle was ultimately located by law enforcement at Behling’s family member’s home and
impounded as evidence.
Further investigation revealed that Behling had allegedly stolen money from two other individuals under similar circumstances. In both prior incidents, the victims made arrangements with Behling through Facebook Marketplace to purchase a Play Station 5. Similarly, after the victims went to a location to exchange money for the gaming console, the defendant stole the money from them without delivering them the console.
On January 9, 2024, Behling was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Judge Timothy P. Mazzei, for the following charges:
- two counts of first-degree robbery, both Class B felonies
- one count of first-degree assault, a Class B felony
- one count of second-degree assault, a Class D felony
- one count of leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injury, a Class E felony
- one count of second-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor
- two counts of petit larceny, both Class A misdemeanors
Mazzei ordered Behling held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Behling is due back in court on February 12, 2024.
“This defendant’s alleged decision to steal from the victim is bad enough, but to take off and drive recklessly down the road with the victim hanging onto the car is unconscionable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “My office will seek justice for the victim and hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”