A 21-year-old man was arrested after allegedly approaching two children at a playground in Cowie Hill, N.S.
Ten-year-old twins Kelsie and Chloe Whittle told their mom as soon as it happened on Saturday at around 6 p.m.
“A man walked up to us and tried to hug us and shake his hand,” said Chloe. “He asked us to go to his house.”
Mother Deanie Whittle says the man continued to follow the twins, but they ran home and told her what happened.
“We took off down the path down and kept running and running until we caught up with him,” said Deanie.
Deanie and another parent tackled and pinned the man to the ground.
“He literally swung him around, got him on the ground and sat on him until the police (arrived),” she said.
The parents made a citizen’s arrest as they waited for officers to arrive. But police say their method is not recommended.
“You certainly have to take into account your own safety,” said Sgt. Barbara Saunders of the Halifax Regional Police. “You wouldn’t want to put yourself in harm’s way.”
A local resident shared photos of the man pinned down on Facebook, which have been shared more than 2,600 times.
The 21-year-old man has been charged with causing a disturbance, but police say that charge is for urinating in public and is not related to the luring allegations.
Deanie wants the man to face more serious charges.
“If he would have got any of the kids, the thought of that is so scary,” she said.
Deanie says she trusts that her girls know what to do if they’re ever approached by a stranger again.
“I am so proud of my girls. So proud of them,” she said.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelly Linehan.
