SURREY, B.C. - The president of the vigilante group Surrey Creep Catchers says he was arrested Monday night following a confrontation with a man the organization's members accused of being a pedophile.
The group targets people they allege are child sexual predators by posing as minors online, arranging to meet their targets and filming the encounters, which are then published on the Internet.
Ryan LaForge, president of the group, posted a Facebook Live video late Monday saying he was 鈥渁rrested and charged for assault鈥� after conducting a 鈥渃itizen's arrest鈥� of a target.
He says he was released after posting $1,000 bail and described the incident as 鈥渨ell worth it.鈥�
LaForge could not be reached from comment.
Asked about LaForge's comments on Facebook in connection to the arrest, Surrey RCMP says its officers received reports of alleged child luring and assault on Monday night, but it would not confirm the names of anyone involved.
The RCMP say one person was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
The Mounties say the incident remained under investigation and no charges were laid.
In the statement, police say they do not condone vigilantism because of the safety risks for those involved.
鈥淰igilantism, no matter how well meaning, does not involve police, and therefore is void of ongoing safety considerations,鈥� Cpl. Scotty Schumann said.
鈥淰igilantism is a risk to the safety of all those involved including victims, or potential victims, the alleged suspects, and/or the safety of those persons intent on broadcasting the suspected crime.鈥�
