Man Arrested After Alleged Facebook Marketplace Jewelry Robbery at Conroe Gas Station
CONROE, Texas — A man has been arrested after deputies say a planned Facebook Marketplace transaction turned into an armed robbery at a Conroe gas station.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched on February 17, 2026, to a gas station in the 17100 block of Highway 105 East following reports of an aggravated robbery.
When deputies arrived, they met with a woman who said she had arranged to meet a buyer to sell jewelry she advertised online. During the meeting, the suspect allegedly displayed a firearm and forcibly took the jewelry before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Suspect Located Quickly
Deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, assisted by the Montgomery County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office and the Cut-N-Shoot Police Department, began searching for the suspect vehicle shortly after the robbery.
Authorities later located the registered vehicle at an address connected to the suspect. Deputies made contact at the residence, where the suspect surrendered without incident.
Major Crimes Detectives responded to continue the investigation and identified the suspect as Juan Carlos Valladarez. He was arrested and charged with Aggravated Robbery.
Safety Reminder for Online Sales
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to use caution when arranging in-person meetings connected to online marketplace sales.
Officials encourage buyers and sellers to meet at designated Safe Exchange Zones, including the parking lot of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 1 Criminal Justice Drive in Conroe, where transactions can be conducted under video surveillance and near law enforcement personnel.
