AURORA, Colo. — A teen killed a couple who met up with him to by a used car through an online ad posted to the app Letgo, investigators said.
Kyree Brown, 18, stole a 2017 Toyota RAV4 and posted it for sale on the app, KCNC reported.
Aurora police said Joseph and Jossline Roland replied to the ad. They showed up at 11 p.m. Aug 14 at the Southlands Mall with $3,000 in cash to buy the vehicle. However, Brown told investigators after he met the couple at the mall he told them he accidentally brought the wrong paperwork for the vehicle in an attempt to lure them back to an apartment.
Investigators said Brown pointed a gun at Joseph Roland while they were still in their vehicle and demanded the cash. Roland then grabbed Brown’s arm and the car started moving, police said. That’s when Brown fired at Roland and also hit Jossline Roland. They were taken to a hospital where they died.
Brown left with the money and tried to set the stolen vehicle on fire.
Brown later posted the car for sale on the app again, under a different user name. The vehicle, at this time, was in a police impound lot.
Using cell phone records, investigators were able to track down Brown. He was taken into custody Aug. 27, police said. He was arrested and charged with first degree murder, according to jail records.
The Rolands had five children. A 17-year-old daughter said her father often “flips” cars. She was supposed to go with him for the sale of the RAV4 but instead hung out with her boyfriend, KCNC reported. Her step mother went instead.
“Joe and Jossline are irreplaceable and will be dearly missed,” Aurora police said in a statement. “Your continued support, respect for privacy, and prayers are most appreciated in this time of unimaginable loss and grief.”