Airdrie RCMP have released the name of the suspect and the seven charges he faces in connection with the abduction of a 12-year-old boy in Airdrie on Aug. 18.
Zain Merchant, 37, 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.
Following a judicial interim release hearing, Merchant was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie today (Aug. 21).
Airdrie RCMP say a so-called “catch a predator” scheme involving several youth led to the abduction of the boy.
Investigators believe at least seven youth arranged to meet the suspect through Snapchat on Aug. 18 in the Coopers Crossing neighbourhood of Airdrie. Police say the plan was to confront and record the suspect, but the situation escalated when a 12-year-old boy voluntarily got into the suspect’s vehicle. That is when the suspect drove away.
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RCMP say the boy escaped when the suspect stopped at a red light and called 911. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect fled southbound on Highway 2. With the help of Calgary Police Service and its HAWCS helicopter, the vehicle was located at a home in northeast Calgary. CPS officers arrested the suspect and turned him over to Airdrie RCMP.
Police later executed search warrants on the suspect’s home and vehicle.