Carrollton Arrest After Watch Theft During Facebook Marketplace Meeting

Carrollton police responded December 20, 2025 after an alleged theft in the police department's parking lot where a prospective buyer tried on several expensive watches and then fled without paying. Detectives used license plate reading cameras and department surveillance footage to identify those they say were involved. One suspect, identified as Patrick Berryman, was arrested and placed in custody at the Dallas County jail. Two other suspects remain at large.

Police recovered one of the two watches within 24 hours. That item was valued at about nine hundred dollars. The second watch remains missing, and investigators continue to follow leads gathered from video and vehicle tracking technology. Authorities described the incident as an alleged theft and have not released details about formal charges at this time.

Local residents who buy and sell items online are directly affected by the case. The sale took place in a location many people view as safe, the police department's parking lot, which illustrates that criminal opportunism can occur even in public settings. Carrollton police reminded the public that the department maintains a well lit, video monitored Exchange Zone in front of police headquarters, and that the department lobby is another safe option for completing online transactions.

The episode reflects broader trends in online marketplace transactions where in person meetings remain the most common way to exchange higher value goods. For Collin County this raises questions about personal safety, deterrence and the role of surveillance technology in solving property crimes. License plate reading systems and stationary surveillance cameras helped detectives identify and locate a suspect quickly, showing how municipal technology investments can produce rapid investigative leads while also prompting residents to weigh privacy and public safety considerations.

Police urged anyone with information about the missing watch or the two remaining suspects to contact investigators. For now the case serves as a reminder that using the police Exchange Zone or the department lobby can reduce the risk of theft when conducting online sales and purchases locally.