Home

Vigilantes warned after alleged child predator citizen’s arrest in Kelmscott park

Daryna ZadvirnaThe West Australian
Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: The West Australian

An alleged child predator is behind bars following a citizen’s arrest by a vigilante who allegedly lured the man through a fake Grindr account.

Russ Alan Portelli was charged by Armadale Detectives after he was allegedly caught “seeking teenagers online”.

Police said the arrest of the 61-year-old came after a man in his 20s created the fake dating site profile pretending to be a 14-year-old boy and was then allegedly contacted by Mr Portelli.

After exchanging sexually explicit messages, the pair arranged to meet at a Kelmscott park last Thursday morning, according to police.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

It is understood man in his 20s brought a friend to the meeting and when Mr Portelli turned up they called the police.

The Camillo man was charged with intent to procure a person believed to be under 16 years for sexual activity and was refused bail.

But a WA police spokesperson warned citizen’s arrest powers “should be exercised with caution”.

“If all the required circumstances are not met, the member of the public could find themselves liable to prosecution of a serious offence,” the spokesperson said.

“We accept that people sometimes make decisions on the spur of the moment and sometimes the decision to pursue or apprehend a suspect may be the right decision, dependent on the circumstances and their own physical capabilities.

“But — we ask the public to always consider their personal safety above everything else and if an offender is running away and you don’t know if they are carrying a weapon, not pursuing may well prove to be the best possible outcome.”

Mr Portelli is next due to appear before the Armadale Magistrate’s Court next month.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails