Charges laid against leader of Surrey Creep Catchers
Ryan LaForge, president of the Surrey Creep Catcher vigilante group, has been charged with two counts of assault in connection with a pair of “sting” operations in April.
The first incident occurred on April 3, when the Surrey RCMP were called to an altercation on King George Boulevard between LaForge and another man, who has since been charged with child luring related offences.
LaForge and group “soldier” Nicole Hunter confronted the man in a Surrey mall where they allege he was trying to arrange for sex with a six-year-old girl and her mother.
In a video posted on the Surrey Creep Catcher’s Facebook page, LaForge could be seen pushing the man and threatening to knock him out if he tried to flee.
LaForge was charged with one count of assault and one count of uttering threats in connection with the incident.
A second assault charge was laid against LaForge for a similar incident that occurred April 19 at the same location.
LaForge and two other Creep Catcher members, including Lance Loy, confronted another man alleged to be involved in child luring.
Loy was arrested at the scene, along with the target of the Creep Catcher sting, but LaForge and another man fled before police arrived.
Loy has been charged with assault and was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of LaForge.
“Police want to remind the public that vigilantism, no matter how well-meaning, poses significant risks to the safety of all those involved,” Surrey RCMP Cpl. Scotty Schumann said in a release. “Using our highly trained investigators in a controlled environment is the best way to get dangerous offenders off our streets and ensure they are held accountable.”
The RCMP say the investigations into the allegations of child luring in these two cases are ongoing.