TEMECULA, Calif. (Gray News) – A large group of vigilante teenagers aided in the arrest of an alleged sex predator in California, according to authorities.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that William Vandenbush, 46, was arrested Friday.
Deputies said they responded to a park in the city of Temecula after receiving a tip that an adult was meeting a minor there for sexual purposes.
When deputies arrived at Nicolas Road Park, they found a group of about 20 teenagers who were there recording the encounter.
Deputies arrested Vandenbush on the scene.
Investigators said they found that Vandenbush had sent nude photos to a minor and agreed to meet that minor at the park for sexual purposes. That minor was part of the group that showed up to the park.
Vandenbush was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center. He is facing several felony charges, including sending harmful matter to a minor, contacting a minor for sexual purposes, and arranging to meet with minor for sexual purposes.
While this case ultimately led to an arrest, the sheriff’s office is urging the public not to conduct their own sting operations and undercover investigations.
“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office strongly discourages residents from conducting their own undercover investigations and arranging to meet with potential suspects,” they wrote in the news release. “This action unnecessarily jeopardized the safety of everyone in the vicinity of the park.”
The sheriff’s office said instead, contact law enforcement immediately.
Anyone with further information on this case is asked to call Investigator Alissa Morris or Deputy Kevin Au at (951) 696-3000.
Deputies said the investigation is ongoing. Further details were not released.
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