Man attacked trying to sell iPhone X at Publix, cops say

The man said he took every precaution to avoid becoming a victim.

When a man’s ad to sell his $1,300 iPhone X attracted a prospective buyer, he thought he took every precaution to protect himself in the handoff.

David Stowers picked a Publix grocery store on Cobb Parkway to meet Kievian McGhee just before 8 p.m. Saturday, according to Channel 2 Action News.

“It was well lit,” Stowers said. “It had closed-circuit television. It had a lot of traffic.”

But the safety measures didn’t stop McGhee from snatching the phone, trying to make a run for it and wrestling Stowers to the ground, he told Kennesaw police.

Stowers, 28, ended up with a broken collarbone, Channel 2 reported.

McGhee and alleged getaway driver Michael Rogers were arrested in the incident.

Kievian McGhee (left) and Michael Rogers are accused in an attack over an iPhone X at a grocery store in Kennesaw. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

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It started when Stowers decided to meet McGhee, who responded to his ad on the LetGo app, in the dining area of the grocery store, Channel 2 reported.

“We sit down. I take the phone out of the bag. He takes it. He’s looking at it,” Stowers told the news station. “I thought something was wrong, and I got a weird feeling like it’s not going to end well.”

Soon after, McGhee snatched the phone and ran until he was stopped by automatic doors that failed to open, Stowers said.

That’s when the two started wrestling over the phone, Channel 2 reported.

At one point, McGhee slammed Stowers to the ground and a store manager and customer jumped in. Rogers got out of the car and jumped in, too, Channel 2 reported.

“I thought someone might lose their life,” Stowers told the news station.

Both suspects were arrested Sunday. McGhee faces charges of robbery, giving a false name and battery, according to Cobb County jail records. Rogers was charged with battery. They both remain in jail.

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