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GREENSBORO — Police have arrested five people in connection with robberies pulled in July that were set up through ads on the popular classified-ad Web site Craigslist.com.

Between July 11 and July 23, five men reported to police that they were robbed at two apartments along English Street after responding to advertisements posted on Craigslist, said Detective K.R. Jones of the Greensboro Police Department’s robbery squad.

“There was an advertisement on Craigslist for sex or massages, things of that nature,” Jones said. “The victim would call the number listed, get directions, showed up and some of them were robbed.”

Court documents say the victims were robbed at either knifepoint or gunpoint of their cell phones and cash inside two vacant apartments in an English Street complex.

Jones declined to name the complex. One victim suffered minor injuries, Jones said.

In late July, police arrested Joshua Bernard Johnson, 18, and Joshana Elizabeth Johnson, 17, of 1120 Hern Ave.; Shenault Hedrick, 18, of 3000-C Ingleside Ave.; and Janella Oscherie Hedrick, 20, and Nnandi Rashawn Turner, 17, both of 1708 Brighton St., according to police and arrest warrants.

All are charged with multiple counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit a felony and common-law robbery.

Joshua and Joshana Johnson are brother and sister, as are Shenault and Janella Hedrick, Jones said.

Each suspect, except Joshua Johnson, remained in the Guilford County jail in Greensboro Thursday on bonds of more than $100,000.

Jones said police believe the group posted some advertisements on Craigslist that involved prostitution but may have had other ads that sold merchandise or other services.

“We’re not positive all of the victims were showing up for sex,” Jones said. Police said they have no evidence that the group engaged in prostitution.

Craigslist, which offers a variety of free classified ads, from selling a couch to seeking a relationship or a job, has been used in other criminal acts across the country during the past several years, according to various media outlets.

People have used the site to sell drugs or stolen merchandise and to orchestrate fraud schemes using fake cashiers check. Some sellers requested cash up front for items that never arrived.

Jim Buckmaster, Craigslist’s chief executive, told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2006 that robberies are extremely rare on his Web site, which has 10 million new ad postings each month. He said sales often take place at face-to-face meetings without any problems.

The company’s Web site offers tips to avoid being victimized in scams and has a wide range of prohibited ads in its Terms of Use policy.

Jones said anyone using an online site for a legal transaction should do so with caution and use common sense.

“You are taking a risk,” Jones said. “If you arrange a meeting, you should go to a public place in the day that is open and where you are visible by others.”

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com