Airdrie man faces six sexual assault charges after groping women at Calgary-area stores

A 30-year-old from Airdrie, Alberta has been arrested and charged with six counts of sexual assault after women were groped at big-box stores near Calgary.

Six sexual assault charges laid after groping incidents at Walmart, No Frills and Shoppers Drug Mart

A 30-year-old Airdrie man has been arrested and charged with six counts of sexual assault following a series of groping incidents at big-box stores in the Calgary area, Global News Crime reports.

Alberta RCMP announced the arrest Friday, saying the accused was taken into custody without incident at his home Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court next week.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Steven Browne said the cases followed a consistent pattern, beginning at an Airdrie Walmart on Aug. 12, when a man grabbed a woman's buttocks while she was shopping. "He did not say anything and departed the business without a confrontation," Browne told reporters at a news conference.

A second incident occurred at the same Walmart 12 days later. Two more assaults took place on Sept. 17 at a No Frills grocery store, also in Airdrie. Browne said those two women have not yet been identified and asked them to come forward.

Calgary police separately notified RCMP of two additional incidents — one at a Walmart and one at a Shoppers Drug Mart — that were identical in nature, bringing the total to six alleged offences.

Browne said investigators have no established motive. The accused did not wear a mask and was captured on surveillance video during each alleged incident.

Victim services have been offered to all women involved. "No woman wants to be inappropriately touched in any fashion," Browne said. "It's a criminal offence and we take that at the highest priority."

Source: Global News Crime