Man posed as woman to lure men on dating apps, car jack them, prosecutors say
A California man is charged with multiple felonies, including carjacking, as authorities say he posed as a woman on dating apps to lure and rob unsuspecting male victims.
Hakeem Doeparker, 20, pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday and remains in custody, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
Prosecutors allege Doeparker posed as a woman on apps such as Skout and MeetMe! to lure the men and arrange meetings.
The Antioch, California, man would tell the victims to go to a specific address, where he would later approach them from behind with a gun, threatening to shoot if they did not give him money or their car keys, the district attorney's office said.
Authorities say they know of at least four victims, none of whom where harmed during the June incidents. Doeparker allegedly stole money and two cars from the men, prosecutors say.
'How did you know where I live?': He showed up at my house after I 'met' him on a dating app. I was freaked out
Authorities said they believe there may be other victims and that the investigation was ongoing.
"We also urge the public to exercise caution when arranging meetings with unknown persons through various phone apps, as this is increasingly becoming a strategy used to set up unsuspecting victims," the district attorney's office said in a statement.
Antioch is about 45 miles northwest of San Francisco.
Contributing: The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man posed as woman to lure men on dating apps, car jack them, prosecutors say
