A vigilante group confronted a suspect at Walmart, interfering with police protocol and later accusing officers of inaction. Albany Police arrested Charles Mellick after conducting a proper, lawful investigation into child exploitation.
Albany, OR. — Official Release: The vigilante group reported to be confronting the alleged perpetrator inside the Albany Walmart store. Dispatch informed the caller, as per Department directive, Albany Police officers were not going to respond without further imperative information. The caller advised they were confronting the alleged perpetrator anyway. Sgt. Bell, the Watch Supervisor at the time, and APD officers were informed through dispatch that the suspect, Charles Mellick, had a felony arrest warrant and immediately responded to apprehend the suspect on the confirmed arrest warrant, which they did. Taking the suspect into custody on a confirmed arrest warrant would allow Sgt. Bell and his officers to receive and analyze the vigilante group’s allegations and evidence.
It is best practice and this Department’s procedure for APD officers to vet the investigation on its merits, ascertain if there is probable cause to support an arrest, and if so, develop a plan to safely apprehend the offender while upholding the laws and procedures of the criminal justice system. The vigilante group wanted the arrest of the sexual predator in their sting immediately, and when that did not occur, the group wrongfully accused Sgt. Bell and his officers of the Albany Police Department of not investigating the criminal case of online corruption (their operation).
The vigilante group then created a scene at Walmart and later accused the police of being “pedophile protectors”. Due to the disruption, the store employee(s) requested the group be trespassed from the store, which was relayed to the vigilante group by APD officers at the scene. The vigilante group then responded to the Albany Police Department and demanded a case number and an explanation for not investigating the case to their satisfaction. Sgt. Bell attempted to explain the reporting process, provided business cards containing emails and QR codes in order to submit their allegations and evidence…