Craiglist isn't just about destroying local newspapers. It's about helping to "disintermediate" the local retail chain, too.

Gang members in Northern California recently hooked up with a Craigslist poster who had advertised clothes for sale for a casual mugging encounter, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The items in question were hooded tops.

San Jose experienced four Craigslist-prompted robberies in one week last month.

"The series of robberies through Craigslist casts the website in a different light from its reputation as a tight-knit community, led by Buckmaster, who espouses a philosophy harking back to the hippie era, and the company's convivial founder Craig Newmark," notes the Chron.

Police have warned posters to meet in a public space, such as a parking lot. But following this advice didn't help the two victims from Pleasanton and Livermore who were mugged for their hoodies...in a parking lot.

The classified chain, which likes to pose as a non-profit, rakes in an estimated $20m a year, earning it the nickname "Craig$list".

There's more, here. ®