A 54-year-old man has been charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and sexual assault in connection with a case North Vancouver RCMP allege involves a cell phone app designed to help gay men hook up.
The alleged victim is a 15-year-old North Vancouver youth.
Police report the youth met the suspect on Grindr. The youth reportedly had a profile posted on the app. Users have to agree they’re over 17 in order to download Grindr.
Grindr tells gay men when other gay men are nearby and pinpoints their exact location using global positioning technology. It also has chat functions, and users can post photos and stats.
Brent Tynan was arrested in Vancouver by the Sex Crimes Unit of the North Vancouver RCMP on April 13, 2010.
He made his first appearance in court on April 14.
Police say it was the young man’s mother who called them.
Police are urging parents to speak with their children about the dangers of predators using such technology.
“Advances in technology and social networking make it easier for our children to come into contact with individuals who may try to harm them or take advantage of them,” said Sgt Jeanette Theisen.
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