A Calgary man is facing several charges after a 12-year-old boy was allegedly abducted in Airdrie earlier this week.
RCMP say they were called around 7:50 p.m. on Aug. 18 after the boy managed to escape from a vehicle when the driver stopped at a red light. The child called 911 and provided police with details about the incident.
Officers say they soon located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled south on Highway 2. RCMP engaged the Calgary Police Service, which, with the assistance of the HAWKS helicopter, later found the vehicle at a residence in northeast Calgary.
Calgary police arrested the suspect at the home before handing him over to Airdrie RCMP.
Investigators say the incident stemmed from a so-called “catch a predator” scheme involving at least seven youth. Police allege the group arranged a meeting with the suspect through Snapchat in the Coopers Crossing neighbourhood of Airdrie.
RCMP say the 12-year-old victim voluntarily got into the man’s vehicle so the other youth could record the interaction. That’s when police allege the suspect drove off.
Officers executed a search warrant on the man’s home and vehicle.
37-year-old Zain Merchant of Calgary has been charged with abduction of a person under 14, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, kidnapping, forcible confinement, flight from a peace officer and three counts of breaching a prohibition order.
Police say the accused remains in custody following a judicial interim release hearing. He is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on Aug. 21.