A 12-YEAR-old boy was “abducted” by a convicted paedophile after a planned sting to catch the creep went “horribly wrong”.
The youth and at least nine of his companions reportedly enticed Zain Alnoor Merchant, 37, via Snapchat before arranging to meet him in a parking lot in Airdrie, Canada.
In the hope of catching the convicted paedophile, the boy reportedly jumped into the man’s car as his friends filmed the interaction.
But moments later, the suspect allegedly drove off.
According to officers, the boy managed to escape and alert the cops when the car stopped at a red light.
Officers then attempted a traffic stop but the driver fled.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Calgary police and a helicopter later tracked the car to northeast Calgary where they arrested Merchant.
Investigations revealed that at least seven minors participated in the scheme known as “catch a predator” – a rising online trend where individuals attempt to locate and apprehend offenders.
These amateur paedophile sting operations have been heavily discouraged by police who warn they could end in violence, suicide or sexual assault.
Merchant has since been charged with abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, and invitation to sexual touching.
He is also charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, flight from a peace officer, and three counts of breaching a prohibition order.
Airdrie RCMP Corporal Christopher Hrynyk stated: “It’s an extremely hazardous situation for them to involve themselves in. We strongly advise against anyone taking these vigilante actions.
“On multiple occasions, we’ve had cases involving this perpetrator, which again underscores the perilous and high-risk nature of interacting with and meeting strangers.
“We do not encourage any of this behavior,’ said Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams Sgt. Mark Auger.
“A lot of these setups and these stings will end in violence, in suicide, in sexual assault. It’s not worth the risk.”
It’s not the first time amateurs have attempted a paedophile sting operation.
In 2021, Sony executive George Cacioppo faced termination after being discovered attempting to rendezvous with, what he thought to be, a 15-year-old boy he had encountered on the LGBTQ dating platform Grindr.
Cacioppo reportedly identified himself as “Jeff” and exchanged pictures with a decoy working with YouTube channel People v. Preds.
In the messages, Cacioppo is seen to ask the decoy about their sexual experience and send them pictures of his genitals.
He then gave the decoy his address in Carmen Valley, San Diego so they could meet up and have sex.
In a video posted by People v. Preds, a man who looks like Cacioppo and is wearing a PlayStation 5 shirt is seen waiting by his front door.
Upon being confronted by the cameraman who starts inquiring about who he intended to meet, Cacioppo responds, “we can have a discussion or I can alert the police” before stepping inside and closing the door.
