Suspected Child Predator Captured in Glendale Sting Operation

Police Stopped 23-Year-Old Ryan Abdelrahim

A sting operation in Glendale resulted in the capture of a suspected child predator, 23-year-old Ryan Abdelrahim of Arcadia, on February 19.

Sting Operation Orchestrated by People v. Preds

The suspect had allegedly planned to meet a 14-year-old boy outside a Target store at the Glendale Galleria mall, but instead, he was met by a group of law enforcement officials. The meeting was orchestrated by a private group called People v. Preds, which aims to capture suspected child predators by communicating with them online before luring them into meeting an underage victim.

Private Group Uses Online Dating Apps to Catch Predators

According to a spokesperson for People v. Preds, the group creates accounts on dating apps and poses as underage children, waiting for potential predators to take the bait. The conversation begins innocently but quickly turns sexual, and the group then lures the suspect into a meeting with what they believe is an underage victim.

Glendale Police Respond to the Sting

The group notified Glendale Police after Abdelrahim agreed to meet who he believed was a 14-year-old boy. Footage from the arrest shows the suspect standing outside a Target store as a group of officers suddenly surround him. Abdelrahim takes off running and sprints into a nearby parking garage, but is eventually caught and arrested.

Charges and Release

Abdelrahim is facing three felony charges and was arraigned on Friday morning in Glendale before being released as the case remains under investigation.

FAQs

• What is People v. Preds?
  A private organization that aims to capture suspected child predators by communicating with them online before luring them into meeting an underage victim.
• How do they catch predators?
  By creating accounts on dating apps and posing as underage children, waiting for potential predators to take the bait.
• How do they notify law enforcement?
  Once the suspect agrees to meet who they believe is an underage victim, the group notifies local law enforcement, and officers respond to the scene.
• What charges is Abdelrahim facing?
  Three felony charges, with the case still under investigation.