Teen lured to assault with Grindr dating app, say California police

Social networking app Grindr © 2015 Apple Inc. via AFP

SANTA ANA, California — California police say a teenage victim of sexual assault was lured through a dating app.

KABC-TV reports that Santa Ana police arrested 59-year-old Michael Komoto April 18 on a charge of engaging in sex acts with a minor.

Police say Komoto told a 15-year-old boy he was 39 years old during communication on the Grindr app and promised a shopping spree in exchange for “making out.”

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Police say Komoto picked up the boy April 14 and sexually assaulted him at a storefront that doubles as Komoto’s business and home in the city about 33 miles (53 kilometers) south of Los Angeles.

Authorities say the pair then went to a shopping center, where the boy became scared and called a friend to pick him up before going to police.