SYRACUSE N.Y. — A group in Central New York recording confrontations with people who they say are trying to have inappropriate relationships with underage girls has led to the arrest of a Syracuse man.

A video posted on Facebook from Central New Yorkers who say they’re part of the group Parents Against Predators Nationwide shows them confronting a man at the Lyncourt Dunkin Donuts on Teall Ave. Saturday morning.

“Why would you do this? She's 15-years-old, man. You're 35. That's sick,” they can be heard saying.
The men behind the camera say they were posing as a 15-year-old girl, communicating with the man, who agreed to meet up with the teenager.

Syracuse police arrested Robert Loth, 35, Monday and charged him with Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor in the 1st Degree.

Syracuse Lawyer Ed Menkin told CNYCentral he deals with cases like this from time to time. He said while it can provide a starting point for a police investigation, these online vigilantes could be putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations.

“They're playing with fire,” said Syracuse Lawyer Ed Menkin. “How did they know that someone that they're confronting is not armed? I mean that's to start with, and I don't care how many views they're getting on Facebook.”

New York State Police told CNYCentral they recommend anyone who suspects a person of preying on underage girls and boys, it’s best to go to investigators instead of taking matters into their own hands.