A man is facing charges and police believe there may be more victims following an investigation into a series of alleged sexual assaults at retail stores in Airdrie and Calgary.
Airdrie RCMP began investigating on Sept. 22 after receiving reports of several incidents dating back to August in which a man allegedly groped women while they were shopping before walking away.
Mounties say the first reported assault occurred Aug. 12 at the Airdrie Walmart, where a woman was shopping when a man allegedly grabbed her buttocks before leaving the store without saying anything.
A second incident was reported at the same Walmart on Aug. 29. Police say another woman was shopping when a man grabbed her buttocks before leaving the store.
A third incident took place Sept. 17 at the No Frills grocery store in Airdrie. RCMP allege a man grabbed the buttocks of two women inside the store.
One of the women confronted the suspect, but police say he did not respond and left the business. Investigators are asking the two women involved to contact police.
During the investigation, Airdrie RCMP learned Calgary police were investigating two similar cases. According to police, one occurred at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Country Hills on Aug. 15 and another at a Walmart in Deerfoot Meadows on Sept. 1.
A release was previously issued about the two incidents in Calgary, and investigators say information from the manager at the Airdrie No Frills led them to determine that the suspect was the same individual. The manager recognized the suspect when he entered the store and called police.
Police believe the victims in each case were unknown to the suspect.
Investigators from both police services reviewed surveillance footage and determined the same suspect was involved in all six incidents. Police say the suspect matched the physical description provided in each case and was repeatedly seen driving a red SUV.
On Sept. 24, officers arrested Shawn Thompson, 30, at his Airdrie home. Thompson has been charged with six counts of sexual assault, including four charges connected to the Airdrie incidents and two related to the Calgary investigations.
RCMP believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone who believes they may have been affected, or who has information about the investigations, to contact Airdrie RCMP.
Calgary police released images of a sexual assault suspect. (Calgary Police Service)
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