Overview

• A 37-year-old Calgary man is charged with abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, kidnapping, forcible confinement, flight from a peace officer, and three counts of breaching prohibition orders.
• He consented to remain in custody after a brief appearance in Airdrie court, with a show-cause (bail) hearing scheduled for next Thursday under a publication ban protecting the victim’s identity.
• Investigators say at least seven youths—possibly up to ten—used Snapchat to set up the meeting; a 12-year-old entered the suspect’s vehicle for friends to film, escaped at a red light, and called 911.
• RCMP say the suspect fled a traffic stop before Calgary police and the HAWCS helicopter helped locate him at a northeast Calgary residence, where he was arrested.
• Police say the accused has a prior history with investigators and warn the social-media ‘catch a predator’ trend is dangerous and can taint evidence, urging parents to speak with their children.