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

Lethbridge Police have charged a 36-year old male in connection with an incident where a woman was driven to an isolated location and sexually assaulted inside a vehicle.

On January 11, a police officer on patrol was approached by a female who reported that she had been sexually assaulted by an unknown male during the early morning hours. EMS attended and transported the woman to Chinook Regional Hospital. 

Investigation determined the 26-year-old victim was outside the downtown library when a male offered her a ride. The victim reported the male stopped briefly at a convenience store then drove to a northside park instead of the destination she had requested. She was subsequently threatened and sexually assaulted inside the vehicle before being ejected.

The victim provided a description of the a subject and his vehicle and investigators later obtained a video surveillance image that was released to the public on January 15 in an effort to identify the unknown male. 

On January 17, the male attended the front counter of the police station and was arrested without incident. His vehicle was also seized. 

Anthony Robert Small, 36, of Lethbridge, is charged with sexual assault, uttering threats and unlawful confinement. Small was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court January 21. 

Following further investigation, police believe there may be additional victims. As part of an ongoing investigation police are releasing a photo of Small and his vehicle, a black 2017 four-door Toyota Camry, in an effort to encourage unidentified victims, to come forward. Anyone who has been victimized is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 25000632. 

Anyone else who many have information that could assist investigators is also asked to call police, or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or call 1-800-222-8477.