MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Covington, Tennessee, man is charged after police said he catfished a man on social media, then robbed the victim and threatened him to keep sending money.
Demarieo Howard, 27, is charged with aggravated robbery, theft under $1,000.00, and aggravated assault with no injury. He was taken to the Tipton County Jail on a bond of $150,000.
According to Covington Police, officers were flagged down about 11 p.m. on July 4, 2024, at the Save-A-Lot on Highway 51 in Covington. The victim told investigators he was involved with a woman he met on Facebook named Ariel and was in Covington for a date.
The man told police he arrived to pick up his date at the Sunrise Apartments on Simonton St., when a man wearing all black jumped into his car with a gun. The victim said the suspect forced him to send $500 to his Apple Pay then ran away from the car.
The victim told investigators that after the robbery, the suspect continued to text the victim, threatening him with harm if he didn’t send $500 every day to his Apple Pay. Investigators said the suspect sent pictures of the victim’s home with the threats.
Covington Police said detectives were able to use technology to identify and locate the suspect, identified as Demarieo Howard. When they found him, detectives said they called the number from the threats, and Howard’s phone rang.
Investigators said Howard denied being part of the catfishing scheme.
“This scam did not work out for the suspects involved in this violent incident,” said Chief Donna Turner. “The victim did the right thing and immediately notified the authorities. This quick notification provided a chance for detectives to identify this coward hiding behind a false identity and robbing our victim. We are thankful our victim was not injured in the incident. We continue to caution people who agree to meet someone in unfamiliar areas under nontraditional conditions. Meet new friends and people in public places or safe spaces where the chances of becoming a victim are reduced to help ensure everyone’s safety.”
If anyone has information in this investigation or thinks they are a victim of a scheme or fraud, they are asked to call the CPD Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-1261. Tips can also be sent in through Facebook messenger to the Covington Police Department or through the City of Covington website.
