B.C. teens create homemade 'To Catch a Predator' series

As the internet erupts with praise for three B.C. teenagers who lured alleged predators into public only to humiliate them, one expert warns their actions could have ended up spurring an actual sex assault.

Shaheed Devji on B.C. teen vigilantes

SHAHEED DEVJI ONTEEN VIGILANTES INVESTIGATION

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Young men dressed like Batman and The Flash confront an unidentified man in a McDonald's restaurant. (YouTube)

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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.

Comments are now closed for this story

Alberta Bound
said
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Are their names Ace and Gary?

northernlove
said
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shouldn't matter how pedophiles are caught.... if there is evidence, who cares how they are caught. Same goes for rapists, etc. From experience I can say that the pervs always have more rights than the victims. Then the pervs get treatment @ the taxpayers expense. NOT the victims. The pervs CANNOT be rehabilitated, it never works, they always do it again and usually it worsens each time. They should be euthanized as they will always prey on the innocents of society and have nothing to offer society, except pain and suffering. Any money spent should be for the victims, not keeping a perv warm and fed in prison.

Linda in Vancouver
said
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You have it right Kasey.It's not the police I am furious with.It's the damm judges and the court systems who let these creeps off with a slap on the wrist. Street justice is all we have left. But I'd say to these boys,it's to dangerous to go out and do this.I adore your stance on the subject,but corner one of these creeps,and you could end up paying with your life. You've done your part by pointing out how angry the public can get when the justice system fails them.Now let's see the courts and the judges step up and do their part.

simone
said
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Knee jerk reactions again. Do not ASSUME the police will not follow up on these pedophiles. They will but they will NOT call everyone to tell them this. Think about it people before you open your mouth and let the fool out.

J. Palmer
said
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I want to say "good job" to the kids for stepping up. Yes it is kinda dangerous, but so is being a teenage girl in todays society, what do you think is more dangerous? On another note, SHAME on the RCMP, I have a feeling the only thing they are worried about is being upstaged, or having someone they protect lured out, and spotlighted in the public, a big "OOPS" as a senior politician, church official, or RCMP member is busted by some kids. Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietum servitium.

Deidre
said
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Amazing that the cops are investigating the kids who only seem to want to help getting these men off the streets and to help vulnerable victims. I find this action from the police to be one of concern. If they are only interested in stopping the boys, then the police have failed us yet once again.

Kasey
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You know the really irritating thing about all this? Even when there is taped live evidence of a pedophile, even if they are arrested and charged with a crime (the RCMP do everything right) It's what happens next that is so amazing -- THE JUDGE DISMISSES THE CASE. Our judicial system is a farce.

J
said
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What a sick joke...these kids are doing a damn great deed and we the the political correct police..oh wait I meant RCMP come in and NOT TALK TO THE PREDATORS but give the kids a hard time.Ya silly kids go back to smoking weed at the local school and leave the preds alone!

Spicer
said
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I saw them . They are very obviously staged . That's fine , nothing wrong with that . It's just sad and pathetic that so many people think they are real . Society of simpletons I guess . Be careful out there !!!

Stayjit1
said
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What an original way to confront an online predator. Hilarious and effective. And police pressure took down the YouTube vid? Makes ya wonder who's side their on.

Laura
said
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Bravo and kudos to the young gentlemen trying to make the world a safer place for others! Remember though, your safety is important too.......

Northern Princess
said
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Ingenious! However, I would caution these teens to be extra careful and it wouldn't hurt for them to call the police as they enter the establishment where they will meet the pedophile, to tell them of a disturbance. The cops will have time to show up just as the pedophile wants to leave or is about to do harm to these teens. Another one off the internet. Good job kids!

shatterproof
said
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Sex Offender Issues: can't wait until they catch you too. Sex offenders deserve NO RIGHTS. Lowest of the low, garbage of society.

Northern Princess
said
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@Haha ... sorry to burst your bubble, but these teenagers didn't make the RCMP look ridiculous or anything. There are so many pedophiles that use the internet, that its almost impossible to catch them all, even with a department dedicated for that purpose. They weren't embarassed by any means, just worried about the teenagers safety. A pedophile caught and humiliated could have a weapon on him and could do serious harm to these boys. That's all. No police bashing necessary here.

Alicia
said
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I don't care what scum think, but I have to agree with Will. This is a good way for some well intentioned teens to get hurt or killed. For your own sakes, be VERY carefull. Why not work with the sex crimes investigators instead of putting yourself in harms way. (as an aside, those who voted against Will's statement, WHAT are you thinking?)

Philip
said
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First off, the real series "To Catch a Predator" is filmed in conjunction with the local police, and as soon as the person walks out the door they are arrested. As well, when dealing with things like using the kids "evidence" in court, it has to be examined to see if it can be used. Unfortunately, the courts have put such a high level of proof on cases like this to ensure that there is no entrapment or enticement. So the statement that they may investigate the guy is true, it just depends on how the kids got their information.The kids also deserve to be investigated, as they allegedly show up to meet a "predator," however is there any proof that they didn't just make it up and randomly pick some guy in the restuarant?

Bill
said
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Why aren't the police using this tactic??

Carm
said
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These boys have made a real precedent. Hopefully this will send a message loud and clear to all of the sexual predators to think twice before exploiting young women.

Joey Tavares, Toronto
said
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Interesting that teenagers are using what means they have protecting children; is this some natural reaction to the state that our society's adults are not?

smile911
said
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Awesome job! Future detectives!

gn
said
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Thank you boys for seeing a problem and doing something about it. Many a man has been fearful of the repercussions of doing such a thing.You're a credit to the country- built on just such bravery and ingenuity. I suspect that the police will attempt to find some way to charge you, but I also believe that many of them are glad you did catch these guys and publicize who they are.BUT this being said, what you did is dangerous and your good deed might actually get someone hurt...Keep your humour...it was great! And thanks for the reminder about who's actually out there.

Megan
said
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i know someone who knows the kid video taping these videos, and i was just informed that the boys that were setting up to meet with the pedophiles, are being investigated but not the pedophiles?? these guys who thought they were meeting up with these "15" & "16" year old girls are just going to be let of the hook? and instead the police are investigating these kids? that doesnt make sense police should be thanking these kids, and going after these men, but no there just going to continue to roam around like nothing ever happend> not cool@!!!

Daniel
said
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Well Good Job! It's amazing to know that people are willing to do stuff like this to see just how bad others are within our Society.....to be more specific how Teens are catching Adults who do "Bad Things" to Children. Instead of giving these teens any sort of punishment for their "Heroic" Deeds, with this bad economy I'd Hire Them and put them on the RCMP Crime-Prevention Force! I've got nothing but Praise for what these guys did! Good Job!

Dawn
said
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I'll bet they've made their parent's proud!!

To Tell The Truth
said
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The RCMP should be ashamed of themselves! If the B.C R.C.M.P were not busy killing innocent people and investigating superheros maybe girls would not be getting killed and raped. Abolish the B.C RCMP and put these young superheros in charge. The streets would probably be safer!!!!!

Lori Gardner
said
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Personal safety is paramount for these young men for certain. However the concept is awesome!

Alberta Bound
said
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They should get Phoenix Jones from Seattle to join their crimefighting team! They could be the cast of a Mystery Men sequel.

blood_donor
said
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untrained someone says!!! One of them was BATMAN!!

simone
said
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Although I understand perhaps why the young men did this the point of the matter is this could have gone in an entirely different direction..I also understand the public's frustration of the legal system. Perhaps if we didn't have people like the women who is trying to get off after killing a lovely little girl in Ladner, things would run smoother. She is a despicable creatureThe police do not make the laws they just try to implement them. The politicians make the laws and sometimes they are prompted by the citizens actions.So ultimately we the electorate are responsible!

grizz
said
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Does nobody find it strange that these boys are dressing up like comic book characters?

Rob
said
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Good for these boys for exposing the perverts and hopefully imbarrassing the perverts so they will think twice before trying to lure young girls for sex and sharing drugs. The challenge that the police have is the excessive high level of proof required by the Judges for a conviction and even if convicted the minmal sentence the Judges are handling out. Many Judges look for any excuse to throw out the charges against the criminals even if they are guilty.

grizzybear
said
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these teenagers might be doing more harm than good. what if they pick on someone the cops are investigating and screw up the investigation? and do they understand what entrapment is? the fact they dress up like superheroes would indicate they're somewhat immature and aren't taking it very seriously.

MikeJones
said
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I think some people are confused as to why or what the police are doing. They are not going after the teenagers nor are they looking to press charges. They are intervening to ensure their safety and that they do not get harmed. Although their efforts should be praised, we have to remember that there are a lot of dangerous people and these situations are unpredictable. The police do not have power to stop the teenagers to continue doing what they are doing. It would have most likely being a decision made by the teenagers and their parents to stop these stings before one of them gets hurt.

baileytheMan
said
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Great, these guys deserve the order of Canada.

G
said
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This is technically illegal because they are taking the law into their own hands. However I can't help but chuckle people got caught attempting to do this kind of stuff

John
said
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I hope these boys can back up their claims. With the way everyone sues nowadays because if they can't they may have lost their parents their home. Before someone says but these are awful men that hasn't been proven in court. And that is where it may end up for them. When they knew what was happening it should have been turned over to the police.

Cameron Strathdee
said
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You magnificent bastards.

beetlebaum
said
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really people, don't congratulate these teens. they are untrained, and putting themselves at risk. they may also be messing with ongoing police investigations. vigilanteism is wrong.

Hugh
said
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Good for these kids. At least they are trying to do something about the perverts out there.

irish76
said
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re: Sex Offender Issues - how is this hindering the police? There is no mention that the police were investigating any of these apparent pedophiles and in fact these 'superheroes' were probably saving young girls from potentially horrible situations in the future. There was no harassment - no violence towards the suspects or anything. Their behaviour IS suspect - and yours is as well if you are siding with people who had the potential to harm underage girls!

John
said
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When a TV station does this it's fine regardless of the fact that their making money during commercials...Yet when a couple of teenagers decide to do SOMETHING GOOD, instead of say...getting drunk and causing havoc for no reason, we spend tax dollars and resources (like cops) to investigate theme.

Sex Offender Issues
said
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This is harassment and hindering the police. They should be arrested and charged with harassment and possibly other crimes.This is also why the online hit-list registry should be taken offline, to prevent vigilante idiots like these idiots from harassing people.Harassment is a crime, so arrest them and do your job!http://tinyurl.com/SOIVigilantismhttp://www.youtube.com/user/RSOVigilantism

Will
said
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I don't feel sorry for predators BUT, this is a good way for some young people to end up DEAD. Heart's int he right place, brain is where? HAHA, you seem to have completely missed the point of reality, this has nothing to do with making a cop look stupid. It is a series of stupid decisions by some youngsters. Better choice would be for them to volunteer to work with police in the computer sex crimes unit.

Andrew in Vancouver
said
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If you think those videos are down, think again. I have just seen one of them. Anything can be and is ripped on the Internet including entire web sites.

busymomof6
said
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You know what... I say way to go boys... you exposed some really bad people and I dont care how it was done. I care about the danger you may have put yourselves in, but exposing them in a public place seems brilliant to me... and you were in costumes so you could not be recognized...so way to go!!! I hope that eveyone you exposed gets investigated at the very least and I really hope you do not get into trouble yourselves... I kinda veiw it as you are children who exposed a sexual preditor and a for doing you might get into trouble??? that just seems wrong and makes me wonder what kind of message this sends to other kids who are in danger and would like to expose a predator, but may now think they would get into trouble for it... Just saying... these young boys did somthing great and I am happy they did!!!

Britty Pie
said
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The fact that these boys are being investigated instead of honoured is a joke! If the police don't like "vigilante justice" maybe they should start doing a better job. As for "possibly" investigating the alleged pedophiles in their videos - well that just goes to show the cops don't really care about pedophiles or sexual crimes against minors. Here's an idea - instead of working against each other, work as a TEAM! Obviously these boys know the right things to say to avoid detection as a "decoy" by the pedophiles where as I doubt a cop knows what to say or how to type to indicate they're a 15 yr old girl. Another idea would be for these boys to have printed out the conversations, placed these men under a citizens arrest upon meeting them, and then phoned the cops. Then again, the cops probably would have dunked donuts in their coffee instead of actually doing any work. That's just my two cents.

TS
said
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Hurray! for the actions of those teenagers. They are doing what the RCPM can not do to protect BC Children. In my opinion, more people should take this approach. The government and the police is not doing enough to protect Canadian Children from pedophiles and rapists. It is expected that in a moment of despair, citizens could rise to take matters in hand to protect their loved ones when the government, the police, and the laws don't do enough to protect them. It is a trouble waiting to happen. I will love to see what the RCMP is going to do to the guy that was caught on tape rather than to see what they intend to do with the teenagers. He is liable because there is proof. Let's see what the RCMP can do to protect Canadian Children with the present laws.

Crim student
said
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Bizarre, these kids certainly have some B***s

CJKH
said
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Brilliant!!! This is what our community should be doing more of.

Rob
said
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"Hollingsworth would not rule out the possibility that the yet-unidentified men in their videos will also be investigated."Possibility? Why wouldn't the police investigate them?

N
said
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wait, so they're catching pedophiles, but they're the ones getting in trouble?Does this seem bizarre to anyone else?

Gav
said
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Many of these comments seem to assume that the cops don't pose as children on the internet to try and catch pedophiles. They do. Lots. and it works. What the cops don't like is vigilante justice.

from the kootenays
said
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I agree with " Ha Ha " .. Gezzz two teenage girls , are being investigated by the RCMP .. What a laugh .. There being investigated for doing a better jonb than the RCMP .. Kinda ranks up there with Canada Custom Border Guards ... They can't catch the bad guys either .... So what does that tell ya .. Good for you girls .. You go get them ...

Will Sutton
said
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Yeah, they should be investigating the boys for exposing child predators in public for what they are... This just highlights the ongoing problem of sexual predators using the Internet to prey on underage children and perhaps the lack of response from the police.

JJ
said
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Can't say I feel sorry for these men trying to meet these girls that are only 15. However, these guys need to be very careful.

HA HA
said
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So the truth of the mater is that two 17 year olds and an 18 year old made the cop look stupid like we should start hiring 17 �18 year old to run the RCMP they would do a better job

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It is about time - as a grandparent I have watched our kids (who were allowed to fail although I do remember some nagging on our part) learn, I have watched our children now micro-manage their children. A big part of it is the fact that there are predators out there and an extreme reluctance on the parents part to alllow freedom that might result in the children becoming victims.

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