Jamaica Plain Man Charged With Winthrop Carjacking

A Jamaica Plain man is facing charges for holding a man at gunpoint during a test drive in Winthrop and then driving off with the vehicle the victim had listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Youssouf Mboukoh, 20, was charged in East Boston municipal court on May 3 with larceny of a motor vehicle, carjacking by firearm, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Mboukoh was ordered held on $10,000 bail with conditions that he stay away from the victim and be confined to his home with GPS monitoring. Mboukoh will return to court June 5 for a probable cause hearing.

On April 29, Mboukoh, using the Facebook name of GrindTime, arranged to meet with the victim to purchase a 2010 black Ford Fusion the victim had listed on Facebook Marketplace. Mboukoh asked if he could test drive the vehicle, according to the DA’s office.

Mboukoh and the victim allegedly went for a short drive before stopping on Perkins Street in Winthrop. When the vehicle stopped, another man opened the rear driver’s side door, pointed a gun at the victim and said “go away or I will shoot you.” The victim immediately got out and called for help while Mboukoh and the other man drove off, according to the district attorney.

Investigators obtained surveillance video showing what they said was Mboukah and two other men arriving on Perkins Street on April 29 at approximately 4:30 p.m. in a white Honda Accord. One of the men is seen removing a large backpack from the trunk and re-entering the Honda. Mboukah allegedly walked toward the victim’s address while the other two waited in the Honda.

After the victim was ordered to exit the vehicle, Mboukah allegedly drove away with the Honda following closely behind.

Based on video surveillance and information provided by the victim investigators secured an arrest warrant for Mboukoh and placed him under arrest on May 2.

The other two men have not been identified.

“These individuals targeted this victim and then deceived and threatened him,” said Haydent. “This calculated robbery could have resulted in injuries or worse. I am glad the victim was not hurt and quickly got police involved. This incident is a reminder of how important it is to use a safe exchange location when dealing with unknown purchasers to ensure everyone’s safety.”