EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Three men appeared in court Wednesday for a Facebook Marketplace transaction that allegedly went wrong in East Providence.

Alex Manuel Jesus Marte, 28, of Providence; Abel Nolasco, 38, and David Ramos, 33, of Bronx, New York, were arrested Tuesday following reports of an armed robbery and gunfire .

Police said the victim was trying to sell “higher-end” jewelry over Facebook Marketplace and agreed to meet the suspects behind a bank on Taunton Avenue.

Instead, the men allegedly assaulted the seller, tried to steal his cell phone and fired shots, according to East Providence police.

No one was hurt.

Police said the suspects drove off, but hit a curb on James Street. The men then got out and ran nearly a quarter-mile away to Central Avenue, where they hid behind a playground skate ramp until they were arrested.

Each of the suspects faces the following charges:

1. First-degree robbery
2. Conspiracy
3. License required to carry a firearm
4. Discharging a firearm while committing a crime
5. Discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle
6. Possession of a large-capacity feeding device
7. Receiving stolen goods
8. Firing in a compact area
9. Disorderly conduct

Police said all three men are originally from the Dominican Republic and are now being held on ICE detainers due to illegal reentry into the United States. They’re all due back in court next week.

For anyone who uses Facebook Marketplace to buy or sell items, police said many departments allow those transactions to take place in their parking lots. They also suggested using a cashier’s check instead of bringing a large amount of cash.

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