Arlington police say a 24-year-old man is facing charges after two phone thefts just hours apart, a grab-and-go in Keller followed by an allegedly armed robbery tied to an online sale in Arlington. Authorities identified the suspect as Anthony Mordi and say officers tracked him down and arrested him in Dallas on Jan. 17. Both victims were reported unharmed.
According to FOX 4, the Arlington incident unfolded when a seller met a buyer to complete an iPhone sale at an apartment complex in the 1200 block of E. Lamar Boulevard and was allegedly confronted with a firearm. Police told the station that no shots were fired and the victim was not injured. After the seller provided details, officers identified a suspect and located him in Dallas, where he was arrested.
Earlier that day in Keller, a seller who records point-of-view clips under the name iFlipiFones says he captured the theft on video during a shopping center meetup, and The Dallas Express published the footage and interviews. The clip shows a man with food in his mouth reaching over, snatching the phone, then speeding away. The seller told reporters he filed a report with Keller police and warned others to be careful, and Dallas Express noted the shopping center did not offer a police-monitored safe-exchange location.
Arrest and charges
Police have charged Mordi with aggravated robbery and theft of property, and FOX 4 reports that he was booked into the Arlington County Jail before being transferred to Tarrant County. The station also reports that Mordi faces unrelated Collin County warrants for evading arrest and marijuana possession. Prosecutors will review the case and decide on formal charges as the investigation moves forward.
Video shows quick grab and safety concerns
The quick snatch captured on camera highlights the risks that come with meeting strangers for in-person sales. Sellers interviewed in the coverage said they now plan to stick to public, well-lit locations, bring a friend or use police department safe-exchange zones when available, and avoid parking in ways that make a fast getaway easy. If a meetup feels suspicious, law enforcement sources say the safest move is to walk away and report the incident.
Legal consequences if convicted
Under Texas law, aggravated robbery, the offense alleged in this case if prosecutors can prove a weapon was exhibited or another aggravating factor, is a first-degree felony that can carry five to 99 years or life in prison and fines up to $10,000, according to the Texas statutes. Any outcome would depend on the evidence and on how prosecutors present the role of a weapon in the encounter. For now, the suspect remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court…