On Aug. 18, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Airdrie RCMP responded to a report of a child abduction involving a 12-year- old male victim.
The victim escaped from the vehicle when the suspect stopped at a red light and called 911.
Shortly after, RCMP located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.
The male suspect fled, driving south bound on Highway 2. Airdrie RCMP engaged Calgary Police Service (CPS), and with the assistance of HAWKS, located the suspect vehicle at a residence in northeast Calgary.
CPS arrested the suspect and he was turned over to Airdrie RCMP.
Investigation has revealed that there were at least seven youth involved in the “catch a predator” scheme, where they arranged a meeting with the suspect through Snapchat.
The meeting occurred in the Coopers Crossing neighbourhood in Airdrie.
One 12-year-old male got into the suspects vehicle voluntarily so that the other youth could record the interaction. This is when the suspect drove away.
RCMP executed a search warrant on the suspects house and vehicle.
A 37-year-old male resident of Calgary, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, has been charged with the following:
- Abduction of a person under 14
- Sexual Interference
- Invitation to sexual touching
- Kidnapping
- Forcible confinement
- Flight from peace officer
- Breach of prohibition order (x3)
After a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, the accused was remanded into custody and will be appearing in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on Aug. 21.
