Vigilante charged after innocent man targeted in sting
A car crash ended in criminal charges against a Saskatchewan Creep Catcher when he went after an innocent victim in what may be a case of mistaken identity, police say.
Lloydminster RCMP were called at around 10 p.m. on July 22 after a car hit a parked vehicle, Cpl. Ronald Bumbry said Friday.
Mounties say the man was an innocent victim who crashed the car while trying to flee a vigilante.
“In regards to this individual, he was innocent and was approached by the accused in this matter,” Bumbry said. “We’re not sure if it was a mistaken identity, or how this individual targeted this person, or why. We have determined that the victim here, for whatever means, was picked when he was attending a restaurant.”
The victim was outside a restaurant when an unknown man approached him and started recording him on video, accusing him of trying to meet a young boy.
The victim tried to flee in his car, but the suspect followed him. When the victim stopped his car, the suspect blocked the vehicle and demanded the victim get out.
The victim then backed up, hitting a parked car in the process. He was able to escape and call police.
A witness at the scene and a Facebook video helped police identify the suspect.
Bumbry said all individuals — police or otherwise — are required to respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and operate within the law.
Chase Brian Karnes, 22, of Marsden, Sask., faces charges of common nuisance, criminal harassment and mischief.
He was released on recognizance with court conditions and is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster provincial court Aug. 28.
Postmedia spoke with Karnes, who was working as part of a group that calls itself Creep Catchers, who attempt to prevent child sexual abuse by posing as minors, using chat rooms and dating sites to lure adults willing to meet a minor for sex, then exposing the adult by publicly posting videos of the incident.
“We have advised we would never work with anyone to implement an operation such as the ones these groups are attempting,” Bumbry said.
Bumbry said anyone who suspects a crime should contact their local police detachment.