1barA4
11-16-2011, 09:50 AM
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20111115/bc_teens_to_catch_a_predator_batman_111115/
Andrew Weichel, ctvbc.ca
Date: Tue. Nov. 15 2011 7:10 PM ET
Three B.C. teenagers are being investigated by the RCMP after posing as underage girls online, luring men to meet them for sex and then showing up dressed as superheroes – while filming the entire process.
The videos were edited and posted to YouTube over the last few weeks under the title "To Troll a Predator."
In one episode, the teens pose as a 15-year-old girl and convince a man with the online handle "laser2222" to meet them at a local McDonald's with drugs. When he arrives, he's confronted by young men dressed like Batman and The Flash.
"This man's a pedophile… he brought marijuana for a 15-year-old girl. He's here to have sex with her," The Flash announces to restaurant patrons. "We lured him here."
"Where are the narcotics?" Batman demands in mock-interrogation. "Where are they?"
"You guys are crazy," their target replies, quickly shuffling out of the restaurant.
RCMP Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth confirmed that the teenage boys, all Chilliwack, B.C. residents, are being investigated by the Serious Crime Unit.
"Our main concern is personal safety issues for these children," Hollingsworth said, adding that police "just wanted to make sure that they knew the ramifications" of luring adult men into public and humiliating them.
The investigation is in its early stages, and it's unclear whether the boys – two 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old – will face charges. Hollingsworth would not rule out the possibility that the yet-unidentified men in their videos will also be investigated.
In the meantime, the boys are being hailed as internet heroes.
Their videos, modelled after the NBC series "To Catch a Predator, ended up on at least a dozen blogs and websites before been pulled from YouTube at the urging of police. A message on the "To Troll a Predator" Facebook page, which garnered almost 1,000 members, broke the news to fans of the series on Monday.
"I hope those who viewed the videos shared many laughs with us while we could. Hope you can understand," it reads.
"I think I'm going to cry," one user replied.
Hollingsworth said it's too soon to say for certain that the videos were not staged, but added that "it doesn't appear that way."
The teenagers' parents have been notified, she added.
Yay let's punish those that expose the pedos! (sarcasm)
I just hope there's enough evidence to charge the men they lured but the crown better not charge these kids for doing some good in this world (even if it was just for the lulz).
Andrew Weichel, ctvbc.ca
Date: Tue. Nov. 15 2011 7:10 PM ET
Three B.C. teenagers are being investigated by the RCMP after posing as underage girls online, luring men to meet them for sex and then showing up dressed as superheroes – while filming the entire process.
The videos were edited and posted to YouTube over the last few weeks under the title "To Troll a Predator."
In one episode, the teens pose as a 15-year-old girl and convince a man with the online handle "laser2222" to meet them at a local McDonald's with drugs. When he arrives, he's confronted by young men dressed like Batman and The Flash.
"This man's a pedophile… he brought marijuana for a 15-year-old girl. He's here to have sex with her," The Flash announces to restaurant patrons. "We lured him here."
"Where are the narcotics?" Batman demands in mock-interrogation. "Where are they?"
"You guys are crazy," their target replies, quickly shuffling out of the restaurant.
RCMP Cpl. Tammy Hollingsworth confirmed that the teenage boys, all Chilliwack, B.C. residents, are being investigated by the Serious Crime Unit.
"Our main concern is personal safety issues for these children," Hollingsworth said, adding that police "just wanted to make sure that they knew the ramifications" of luring adult men into public and humiliating them.
The investigation is in its early stages, and it's unclear whether the boys – two 17-year-olds and one 18-year-old – will face charges. Hollingsworth would not rule out the possibility that the yet-unidentified men in their videos will also be investigated.
In the meantime, the boys are being hailed as internet heroes.
Their videos, modelled after the NBC series "To Catch a Predator, ended up on at least a dozen blogs and websites before been pulled from YouTube at the urging of police. A message on the "To Troll a Predator" Facebook page, which garnered almost 1,000 members, broke the news to fans of the series on Monday.
"I hope those who viewed the videos shared many laughs with us while we could. Hope you can understand," it reads.
"I think I'm going to cry," one user replied.
Hollingsworth said it's too soon to say for certain that the videos were not staged, but added that "it doesn't appear that way."
The teenagers' parents have been notified, she added.
Yay let's punish those that expose the pedos! (sarcasm)
I just hope there's enough evidence to charge the men they lured but the crown better not charge these kids for doing some good in this world (even if it was just for the lulz).