Scam victim gets expensive watch back after punks rob, shoot him

THEY WANTED his Movado watch, but a robbery victim took a licking and kept on fighting back.

Now Philadelphia cops are hoping the man's courage will help them bust a ring of armed scammers who've been using Craigslist.org to lure prey - and their luxury watches - to a North Philly neighborhood in recent weeks.

Police said the victim, a 29-year-old man from Northeast Philly whom they did not identify, helped them finger one of the men now sought in at least two robbery attempts on people looking to sell watches through the popular website.

In the episode Wednesday on Gratz Street near Berks, the victim had advertised a $2,200 Movado watch and had met with the supposed buyer when a second man walked up and demanded the watch.

The would-be seller refused, even after the second man pulled out a gun, and even after he fired a shot into the ground, according to the police account. Finally, the robber shot the man in the leg and ran off with the watch.

The wounded victim jumped into his car and cruised the area until he saw a man carrying a brown leather bag. The victim pulled over, got out and approached the man. He grabbed the bag, looked inside and saw his watch, so he fled back to his car. Along with the watch, the gun used to shoot the man and the shirt the thug was wearing also were in the bag.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Aleem Reed, 26, of Gratz Street near Jefferson, who is wanted in two attacks, said police spokesman Lt. Raymond Evers. Reed and two other men remain at large.

The victim, meanwhile, refused medical treatment for the gunshot wound.

Evers warned the public to be "very very careful" of Craigslist transactions in isolated areas. If you do buy or sell on a Craiglist, Evers said, schedule a meeting place in front of a police district or another location with access to law enforcement.

Police are investigating two similar incidents from earlier this month.