Joseph Vindel New Orleans, Louisiana man killed after going to meet Jalen Harvey to sell dirt bike after arranging meet via Facebook Marketplace.
Murdered over a dirt bike. A Louisiana man trying to sell a dirt bicycle on a social media marketplace was fatally shot after meeting up with a potential buyer over the weekend, according to authorities.
Joseph Vindel, 29, left his New Orleans home around 10 a.m. Sunday to meet up with Jalen Harvey, 20, in the town of Harvey, where he planned to sell the bike, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said at a press conference.
‘Mr. Vindel never returned from that transaction,’ the sheriff said.
Vindel listed his bike on Facebook Marketplace for $2,700.
Vindel’s family contacted police after not hearing from him for hours. Detectives found messages between Vindel and Harvey talking about the bike sale, Lopinto said.
Suspect admitted specifically arranging meet up to rob and kill victim
The text messages led police to an apartment complex in Harvey, where they found Vindel’s dirt bike in one of the patios, he said.
During their search, cops came in contact with Harvey, who admitted to shooting Vindel multiple times in his car, according to the sheriff.
Investigators determined that the fatal shooting occurred between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm.
Police say Harvey then drove the vehicle and abandoned it with Vindel’s body in the backseat. Afterward, Harvey drove the dirt bike back to the apartment complex, cops said.
Harvey was arrested Monday and he faces a first-degree murder charge.
Lindsey Vindel couldn’t believe his son — who recently got his real estate license and was starting his career as a realtor — was killed over a dirt bike.
‘He was loved by everyone and didn’t deserve this,’ the father told WWL-TV.
A life full of promise
A LinkedIn profile under Vindel’s name said he owned a travel agency for four years and more recently worked as a Realtor. He said he attended Tulane University from 2011 to 2015, studying public relations and marketing.
Facebook has posted tips for selling through Facebook Marketplace:
- When meeting in person, meet in a well-lit area or police station.
- Let others know where you’re headed.
- Some marketplace items are eligible for shipping which is an option.
- Use a pick-up or drop-off service.
- Don’t share personal information like your home address with someone.
- Consider taking another person with you.
