A Long Island man has admitted to stealing cash from a prospective Facebook Marketplace buyer before driving away with the victim hanging from his car window, causing serious injuries, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Jordan Behling, 23, of Wheatley Heights, first connected with his victim on Facebook’s digital marketplace platform posing as the seller of a PlayStation 5.
The two had agreed to meet on June 16, 2023, to complete the transaction. Just after 7 p.m., Behilng drove his 2020 Chevy Equinox to the victim’s home, where he was handed $280 for the console through the window of his car.
However, when Behling grabbed the cash he “sped off while the victim was still partially inside of the car,” prosecutors said.
He then drove for two blocks “while weaving through traffic to purposely shake the victim off” the vehicle. The victim only became dislodged from the vehicle after Behling sideswiped a parked car.
Behling fled the scene but was later arrested after police determined he was driving the Chevy. He was indicted earlier this year.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, “including a shattered pelvis that required multiple surgeries.”
Investigators later linked Behling to two similar Facebook Marketplace robberies — also involving the fake sale of a PlayStation 5. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to robbery, assault and leaving the scene of an incident.
“We will not tolerate theft in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “Worse still, this defendant coupled his theft with violence. That equation equals prison.”
Behling is due back in court on Feb. 13 for sentencing. Prosecutors say he’s expected to be sentenced to five years in prison.