Penticton man caught in Creep Catchers sting

Police say man charged with 1 count of child luring

The long arm of the Surrey Creep Catchers has stretched all the way to Penticton.

A subject of one of the vigilante group’s sting operations, which targets alleged pedophiles, was arrested here on Monday.

Phillip Mohr, 34, was picked up on a warrant issued in Surrey for one count of child luring, according to Penticton RCMP spokesman Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth.

Mohr, who lives in Penticton, was released following a bail hearing Tuesday to await his next court appearance Aug. 21 in Surrey.

The alleged circumstances of the offence were read out in court at the bail hearing but are covered by a publication ban meant to protect Mohr’s right to a fair trial.

However, Surrey Creep Catchers president Ryan Laforge confirmed separately that Mohr was one of his group’s targets.

Laforge said a member created a fake profile for a 13-year-old girl on a dating website, through which a man allegedly began to communicate with her for the purpose of arranging sex.

The man is alleged to have then gone in April to meet the fake 13year-old at a Tim Hortons in Surrey, where he was confronted by Laforge and others, who turned over the matter to the RCMP.

Conditions of Mohr’s bail require him to stay away from any parks, swimming areas, community centres, daycares, schools or playgrounds where kids under 16 may be present.

He’s also banned from participating in any activities, including paid or volunteer work, which would bring him into contact with anyone under 16 unless he has the prior approval of his bail supervisor.

Mohr is further prohibited from having contact, or being alone, with kids under 16, except with permission from their parents after they’ve read his bail order. And he’s also banned from using a computer to communicate with anyone under 16.

Despite mixed reactions to the Surrey Creep Catchers’ methods, their work has proven effective in helping police secure charges against alleged pedophiles.

One such accused is a Surrey RCMP officer who was charged in October 2016, while a Kamloops member of B.C. Sheriff Service was snared in August 2016.

Laforge has also found himself in legal trouble, however. He is currently facing two charges of assault relating to alleged rough handling of the targets of two stings he conducted in April.

And earlier this month, he was ordered by the B.C. Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to remove from the internet all photos, videos and other documents that contain personal information of Surrey Creep Catchers targets.