From: NewNowNext
Guys cruising for hookups in Lansing, Michigan can breathe a sigh of relief now that two men, Aaron Spyker (L) and Adrian Tupper ( R), are behind bars for their roles in an online hookup scam that specifically targeted gay men.
WLNS reports both Spyker and Tupper face felony charges of unarmed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, and conspiracy to commit those crimes, after meeting a Lansing man on Craigslist recently and restraining him while robbing him.
It’s a disturbing trend that’s become more popular among predators in recent years. People who become victims of crimes under the pretense of hooking up are particularly vulnerable because they’re more willing to welcome strangers into their home (or visit the home of a stranger) and possibly not report the crime out of fear of judgement.
“They feel that those people aren’t going to report to the police, because of…their status,” said Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III. “They worry about the stigma or whatever, but if anyone is out there that’s been victimized, I don’t really care, anything about that stuff, you’re a victim, you’re a victim, and we will do what we can to vindicate your rights.”
Luke Thelen of the Michigan State Police cyber unit used the incident to urge others to be safe while meeting people online. “Tell a friend, ‘hey, I’m going to be at this location for this long,'” he said.
Police are urging anyone who believes they may be the victim of a similar crime to report it to local police, or contact Equality Michigan for assistance.
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