A “catch a predator” scheme led to the arrest of a Calgary man accused of abducting a 12-year-old in Airdrie on Monday, Mounties say.

It happened on Aug. 18 when a group of seven youth were involved in a scheme meant to catch a child predator à la Chris Hanson’s NBC Dateline show in the 2000s, investigators believe.

They say the youth arranged a meeting with the suspect through Snapchat in the Cooper Crossing neighbourhood in Airdrie, where a 12-year-old entered the vehicle voluntarily so the others could record video.

The suspect then drove away with the 12-year-old inside.

Mounties responded to reports of a child abduction at around 8 p.m., saying the victim managed to escape the vehicle when the suspect stopped at a red light and called 911.

Shortly after, they say the suspect was

See Full Page