Police charge male with sexual assault and believe there may be additional victims

MEDIA RELEASE

For the second time in two months, Lethbridge Police have charged a 47-year-old male in connection with an incident where a woman was sexually assaulted inside a trailer.

On January 30, police responded to a report that a 26-year-old female had been sexually assaulted by a male inside a trailer parked in a lot along the 3700 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. Following the sexual assault, the victim left the trailer and the male followed her inside a nearby store where she entered the women’s washroom and waited until police arrived. The male was arrested without incident inside the store. The male and victim, both of no fixed address, are known to one another.

Malek Fares, 47, of Lethbridge, is charged with sexual assault. He has been released from custody with conditions of no contact with the victim and is scheduled to appear in court March 27.

This is not Fares’ first time facing sexual assault charges. On December 8, 2023, a 39-year-old woman reported she had been sexually assaulted by a male inside a trailer parked in a lot along the 3700 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. In that case the victim also reported the male had previously assaulted her by causing burn injuries. Police located the male and truck and trailer still parked in the lot and he was arrested without incident. The accused and victim are known to one another. Fares was subsequently charged with sexual assault, assault with a weapon and assault.

Further investigation has determined Fares is known to frequent the Lethbridge Shelter and downtown core and engage vulnerable women. Police have also obtained evidence from multiple sources that he has victimized additional women. As part of an ongoing investigation, police are releasing Fares’ photo in an effort to encourage unidentified victims, who may not know him by name or only by an alias, to come forward. Anyone who has been victimized is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 24001791.

Anyone who has information that could assist the investigation can also submit anonymous online tips to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers will pay cash for information leading to an arrest.