Sting Operation Leads to Recovered Stolen Property and Suspect Arrest after Items “Sold” on Facebook Marketplace

The victim began a search on Facebook Marketplace for his stolen items, and discovered a few of them.

An officer, posing as a “prospective buyer,” contacted the “seller” from San Jose to arrange a transaction.

They made plans to meet. On January 12, the officer met the buyer at Marina Plaza. Other officers were nearby. Tyghe Miullin, the suspect, was detained on site. He already had numerous warrants out on him.

Mullin was in possession of paraphernalia and “credit card and other personal information that did not belong to him.”

Inside Mullin’s car investigators found four items that belonged to the victim. Although he admitted that he knew that the items were stolen, he alleged that he did not steal them.

The San Mateo Police Department said  that Mullin is “not the “seller” depicted on Facebook Marketplace, nor did his name match. We are continuing our investigation into that subject.” He was arrested for possession of stolen property.

“SMPD reminds the public to keep serial numbers or identifying information of valuables. Etch your name or driver’s license number onto items for additional identification. Photos are also helpful. Providing the police with a serial number not only helps us inform other agencies that your property has been stolen, but it also allows for us to reunite recovered stolen property with their owners.”