A California pastor with a criminal history of abusing boys was stabbed to death by a vigilante police say tracked him down through the state’s sex offender registry.
Vigilante hunts down child predator
Authorities allege that 29-year-old Varun Suresh posed as an accountant searching for clients before launching a violent attack on 71-year-old David Brimmer at his Fremont home on the morning of September 18.
Brimmer, who served nine years in prison after being convicted of molesting minors in 1995, was chased through the neighborhood as witnesses recalled hearing Suresh yell at him to “repent.”
According to court records, when officers arrived, Suresh allegedly told them he had long wanted to kill a pedophile because “they hurt children” and “deserve to die.” He reportedly added that the killing was “honestly really fun.”
Investigators said Suresh spent that morning reviewing photos and addresses of offenders on California’s Megan’s Law registry.
The database displays names, crimes, and home addresses of those convicted of sex offenses.
Police responded within minutes after a neighbor’s 911 call and discovered Brimmer gravely injured from multiple stab wounds.
Despite attempts to save him, Brimmer died at the scene. A knife was recovered nearby, and Suresh was taken into custody outside the home.
Documents allege Suresh told investigators, “It is not your duty to decide whether Heaven will accept them, it’s your duty to send them to the gates.”
Suspect pretended to be selling accounting services
Officers say he carried a bag, notebook, and coffee cup to appear credible as he went door-to-door pretending to be an accountant.
He allegedly confirmed Brimmer’s identity before forcing his way inside.
Witnesses told police Brimmer bolted from his home, racing down the street with Suresh in pursuit.
At one point, Brimmer fled into a neighbor’s garage, begging them to call 911.
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Suresh reportedly followed and cornered him in the kitchen, stabbing him in the neck while demanding he repent.
Brimmer stumbled outside and collapsed on a lawn, where Suresh allegedly stabbed him again in the throat.
Suresh admitted to detectives the reason he stabbed him again was because, “I just wanted to make sure it was done.”
He told police he never planned to escape and would have eventually called authorities himself. Records say he claimed he felt no remorse and was not sorry.
Prosecutors charged Suresh with murder, burglary, and an enhancement for causing great bodily injury.
Police also noted he had been arrested in 2021 after leaving a suspicious bag at Hyatt Place and making a false bomb threat, later telling investigators he targeted the hotel chain’s CEO, whom he believed to be a pedophile.
Vigilante group busts child predator
In another case, police in Massachusetts say an online vigilante group helped them capture a convicted sex offender who thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl.
Officers said 56-year-old David Baxter was arrested in Kingston after arranging to meet a decoy set up by Predator Poachers, a New York-based group that stages stings by posing as underage children online.
Prosecutors said Baxter, who has been arraigned dozens of times on sex crimes, pleaded not guilty to charges including child enticement and trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude.
Lt. Michael Skowyra of Kingston Police said groups like Predator Poachers can provide useful leads but also present risks.
“There’s very minute technicalities in the criminal law as to how evidence can be gathered, what can be used against individuals in a court of law,” he cautioned.
He also pointed out that members of vigilante groups are putting themselves in harm’s way by confronting potentially violent criminals.
“This defendant, with a lengthy criminal record, that likely knows if he’s arrested again, could be facing a significant amount of prison time, there’s a chance that somebody like that may be desperate and act out violently,” he added.
Last month, Predator Poachers also worked with Pennsylvania authorities, leading to the arrest of 42-year-old Eric Rooney in Bensalem Township.
Investigators said Rooney spent months sending explicit messages to someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl on Instagram.
He allegedly admitted he intended to meet her for sex and that he had viewed child sexual abuse material.
Rooney was charged with multiple sex crime offenses and was arraigned with bail set at 10 percent of $500,000. He remains held in the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
