Surrey Creep Catchers show up at Mountie’s court appearance
Posted October 19, 2016 2:20 pm.
Last Updated October 19, 2016 3:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – More than a dozen members of the Surrey Creep Catchers and their supporters gathered at the city’s Provincial Court Wednesday for a RCMP officer charged with child luring to make a scheduled appearance.
Constable Dario Devic was arrested and charged after he was targeted by a high-profile Creep Catchers sting operation in September. He was not required to be at the court appearance and, by request of his lawyers, the judge postponed until Nov. 2.
The vigilante anti-pedophile group claims Devic tried to solicit an underage girl for sex, when in reality, he was communicating with one of their members. Those claims are now reflected by BC’s Criminal Justice Branch.
“Our group wanted to be here to support the community and our belief that a change needed to be made in our justice system,” group leader Ryan LaForge says. “We’re here to say enough is enough. We are out here, we do care, we do notice and something’s wrong.”
The RCMP has repeatedly scolded Creep Catchers for acting as vigilantes, using public shaming tactics, and hindering the investigations of paid professionals. Police have also acknowledged Devic might not have been caught if the online sting hadn’t occurred.
“We’re staying on our path,” LaForge reaffirms, “If anything we’re going to get bigger. I’ve got a few surprises coming up.”
The group plans to attend the November court date and all of Devic’s future court appearances, LaForge says.
