Looks like technology does make things a little easier -- at least that’s what New Jersey police found out in their capture of a MySpace predator.
Police in Runnemede arrested 39-year-old Martin Scarduzio in a town park on Tuesday, June 29 after lengthy communication with the local man.
It started when Scarduzio allegedly sent provocative messages to a local 14-year-old girl through her MySpace account.
In the initial message, Scarduzio made sexual advances on the student and asked to meet her in person, according to police.
Having just attended a D.A.R.E. program concerning Internet safety at school, the girl knew to notify her parents about the explicit communication from the stranger.
The girl’s mother took the information to Runnemede Detective Chris Robinson, who had led the D.A.R.E. presentation.
To incriminate Scarduzio, Robinson decided to get in touch with the predator himself by pretending to be the 14-year-old girl and communicating with the man through the student’s MySpace.
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The two planned to meet at a park, police said.
When Scarduzio rolled expecting a sexual encounter, police nabbed him.
“It was over pretty quick. He was apprehended pretty easily. And following being handcuffed, he gave us signs that he knew why we were there,” according to Robinson.
This sting operation was the first of its kind for Runnemede police.
Scarduzio is being held on attempted sexual assault, child endangerment and luring charges.
During a press conference following Scarduzio’s arrest, police urged parents to take an active role in protecting their children from online dangers.
Police also have reason to believe Scarduzio may have used MySpace in a similar manner other times. If you have any information regarding this possibility, you're urged to contact your local police department.
