Airdrie man charged with six counts of sexual assault after groping incidents at stores
Police allege the 30-year-old man targeted women at Walmart and No Frills locations in Airdrie and Calgary.
AIRDRIE — A 30-year-old Airdrie man has been charged with six counts of sexual assault after a series of incidents where women were groped at retail stores in the Calgary area.
Shawn Thompson was arrested at his Airdrie home on Sept. 24 and charged in connection with four incidents in Airdrie and two in Calgary, police said Friday.
"We've offered them the supports of the regional victim services society and again no woman wants to be inappropriately touched in any fashion," said Airdrie RCMP Staff Sgt. Steven Browne at a news conference. "It's a criminal offence and we take that at the highest priority."
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The first reported assault occurred Aug. 12 at the Walmart in Airdrie, where a woman shopping was grabbed on the buttocks by a man. "The male did not say anything and departed the business without a confrontation," Browne said.
A second, similar assault was reported at the same Walmart on Aug. 29.
On Sept. 17, two women were allegedly groped at the No Frills grocery store in Airdrie. Browne said "a confrontation took place with the second female victim" before the man fled. Police said those two women have yet to be identified and are asking them to come forward.
During the investigation, Airdrie RCMP learned from Calgary police that two similar incidents were being probed in that city. One occurred at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Country Hills on Aug. 15 and another at a Walmart in Deerfoot Meadows on Sept. 1.
"Investigators identified consistent physical characteristics of the male, clothing, and the repeated use of a red SUV throughout the occurrences," said Staff Sgt. Steve Brown of the Airdrie RCMP.
Police said information from the manager at the Airdrie No Frills, who recognized the suspect when he entered the store and called police, helped link the cases. Investigators from both services reviewed surveillance footage and determined the same suspect was involved in all six incidents.
Browne said he has no idea of the motive, adding that the man did not wear a mask and was caught on video during each alleged offence.
Thompson was arrested without incident at his home Tuesday, according to RCMP. He was released on conditions following a judicial interim release hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on Oct. 1.
Police believe the victims in each case were unknown to the suspect and that there may be additional victims. They are asking anyone who believes they were affected or has information to contact Airdrie RCMP.
"If you believe you are a victim or have any information regarding any of the noted investigations, please call us," Brown said.
"This investigation demonstrates the strong partnership between the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service and reflects our shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust to the communities that we serve," Brown said.
With files from Global News, CBC News and CityNews