Child luring suspect was on probation, police say
A man arrested for child luring earlier this week was on probation, say police who believe there may be other recent victims.
A police warning about the man in July classified him as a risk to reoffend.
“It's extremely frustrating. I mean, our children are the most vulnerable complainants we have and that we deal with so their safety is paramount,” Det. Rob Davis said after the Tuesday arrest.
Edmonton city police said west division officers were called Tuesday just before 1 p.m. after reports of a suspicious man near 177 Street and 69 Avenue, said a news release issued Wednesday.
Police said they were told a man was attempting to lure a child away from the area.
Davis — with the city police Child Protection Section — said that during the exchange between the man and a 10-year-old boy, the child was offered a vape pen while at a nearby public park. Davis said it was a witness who helped direct officers to a nearby shopping centre where they found the boy and took the man into custody.
The man was carrying two imitation firearms when police arrested him.
Davis said the shopping complex was not West Edmonton Mall.
The 10-year-old boy is now getting support from the Zebra Child Protection Centre.
Curtis Allan Poburan, 52, is charged with abduction of a child under the age of 14, criminal harassment, and offences involving possessing imitation firearms and breaching orders.
Davis said Poburan was on probation when he was arrested, having been released from custody in December.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police.