6 teens charged with assault, robbery after adult lured through social media and attacked
Six teenage boys have been charged after an adult was lured to north Edmonton and assaulted.
The Edmonton Police Service says officers were called to the Calder area on March 27 about the assault.
It was reported to police that an adult arrived in the area to meet someone using the LGBTQ2S+ social media app Grindr.
When the victim arrived, they were confronted, assaulted with blunt objects, and robbed by a large group of teens, police say.
The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries, their parked vehicle was later found damaged as well.
Police identified several suspects and determined that the app was used to lure the victim under false pretenses.
On April 17 and 18, several search warrants were executed and six teenage boys between the ages of 15 and 16 were arrested and charged with offences including aggravated assault, robbery and mischief over $5,000.
'This use of social media to lure and assault someone is alarming and unacceptable,' Det. Scott Rowbotham said in a news release on Friday.
'Given the unpredictable nature of meeting people online, we'd like to remind everyone, regardless of age, to be mindful when first meeting someone they only know through online channels. If possible, plan a location and tell a friend where you are going.'
Rowbotham says if something does go wrong during an interaction planned on a third-party app it can be difficult for police to get the information needed for an investigation and urges anyone who has been a victim of a similar situation to contact police as soon as possible at 780-4223-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
16 hours ago
- CTV News
Suspect stopped for speeding on Hwy. 17 charged with impaired
Marathon Ontario Provincial Police spotted the impaired driving suspect around 9:20 p.m. June 6 in Pic Township. A 60-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie stopped for speeding near Marathon on Highway 17 on Friday has been charged with impaired driving. Marathon Ontario Provincial Police spotted the suspect around 9:20 p.m. June 6 in Pic Township. 'While on patrol, an officer observed a motor vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed, and a traffic stop was initiated,' police said in a news release Saturday. Signs of impairment 'While speaking with the driver, the officer detected signs of impairment. The driver was arrested and transported for further testing.' Charges include driving while impaired by alcohol. His licence was suspended automatically for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for a week. The accused is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Marathon on July 16. 'If you have an urgent traffic complaint or if you suspect someone is driving while their ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by drugs or alcohol, please call 911 immediately,' police said. Non-emergency cases can be reported by calling 1-888-310-1122 or online. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
CTV News
17 hours ago
- CTV News
Suspect wanted for allegedly setting on fire two vehicles and garage in Christie Pits
The man in the photos is wanted in connection with an arson investigation. (Toronto Police Service) Toronto police have released a photo of a suspect accused of deliberately setting two vehicles and a garage on fire in the Christie Pits neighbourhood on Thursday. Police said they received a call at 4 a.m. for a vehicle fire in the area of Shaw Street and Yarmouth Road, south of Dupont Street. When they arrived, crews found a burning vehicle, which was unoccupied at the time, police said. Officers did not locate a suspect. About two hours later, crews responded to a fire in a detached garage. Police said both the structure and a vehicle inside were on fire. No one was inside the vehicle at the time. An individual was seen on the garage rooftop before the incident, police said. However, officers did not find the suspect upon arrival. The suspect is described as being in his 30s, between five-foot-six and five-foot-eight, with a slim to medium build, light brown hair in a ponytail, and clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue sweatpants and grey shoes. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
CTV News
17 hours ago
- CTV News
Suspect sought after staff member assaulted during robbery in downtown Toronto
Police say Liam Nisbet, 30, is wanted in connection with an aggravated assault and robbery investigation. (Toronto Police Service) Toronto police are looking for a 30-year-old man who allegedly assaulted a store employee during a robbery downtown on Friday evening. Police say they got a call for a robbery near Queen Street West and Beverley Street, east of Spadina Avenue, just after 6 p.m. A man allegedly attempted to flee a store without paying for the items he had taken. Police said the man assaulted a staff member as he was escaping. The staff member suffered serious injuries, police said. In a news release on Saturday, police identified the suspect as Liam Nisbet. He is wanted for robbery and assault causing bodily harm. He is described as being five feet seven inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with a thin build, and having brown hair. Police said Nisbet was last seen wearing white shoes, grey pants, a light grey or blue shirt, a dark-coloured hooded jacket, a grey baseball cap, and sunglasses, and was carrying a black satchel bag. They are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
