Latest news with #ScottRowbotham
CTV News
25-04-2025
- CTV News
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.
CBC
25-04-2025
- CBC
Teens lured victim on Grindr app prior to assault, robbery, police say
Edmonton police have charged six teens in what they are calling a "targeted assault" and robbery, saying the group used a social media app to lure the victim under false pretences. In a news release Friday, Edmonton police said officers responded on March 27 to a report of an assault in the Calder neighbourhood of northwest Edmonton. Police said a person had reportedly arranged to meet up with someone using the 2SLGBTQ+ social media app Grindr. But when the person arrived, they were confronted, assaulted, struck with blunt objects and robbed by a large group of teen boys, police said. EMS responded, treated and transported the person to hospital with serious injuries. Police said the hate crimes unit is assisting in the investigation to help determine if the crimes were motivated by hate toward the 2SLGBTQ+ community. EPS said six male youths, all aged 15 or 16, were arrested and charged with multiple offences last week, including aggravated assault, robbery and mischief over $5,000. Police said officers continue to investigate, and further arrests or charges may come if new evidence emerges. "This use of social media to lure and assault someone is alarming and unacceptable," said Det. Scott Rowbotham with EPS's investigative response team, in the news release. "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."
Global News
25-04-2025
- Global News
Youths charged with assault in Edmonton after person allegedly lured on LGBTQ2 dating app
Six teenagers are charged with robbery and assault after allegedly luring an adult to an area of north Edmonton through an LGBTQ2 dating app. Police said they were called last month to the Calder neighbourhood, where a person arranged to meet someone from Grindr. Instead, they said the person was met by a group of youths, all between 15 and 16 years old, and allegedly assaulted, struck with blunt objects and robbed. Police identified several suspects and learned the app was used to lure the person under false pretences. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police said the person was brought to hospital with serious injuries and the youths are facing multiple offences, including aggravated assault, robbery and mischief over $5,000. Investigators say they are looking into whether the matter was motivated by hate for the LGBTQ2 community. Story continues below advertisement 'This use of social media to lure and assault someone is alarming and unacceptable,' said Edmonton police Det. Scott Rowbotham in a news release 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.'
