Man charged in sexual assault at southwest hotel

The Calgary Police Service Sex Crimes Unit has charged a man in a sexual assault that occurred in October at a southwest hotel.

Police were called to the Canada’s Best Value Inn Chinook Station, 5307 Macleod Trail S.W., in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, for reports that a hotel guest had been sexually assaulted in her room.

It is believed the victim allowed a man into her room, thinking he was an online acquaintance. Once inside the room, the man allegedly sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing the room. Police were called and an investigation ensued.

It is believed the suspect had been communicating with the victim via text message prior to the assault, and that the victim thought the man was someone she had previously been speaking with through social media. Investigators later determined the suspect was an employee of the hotel and allege he may have obtained the victim’s phone number through the hotel guest registration information. It is not yet clear how the accused may have obtained information about the victim’s online conversations to pose as an online acquaintance, or if it was a matter of assumption or coincidence.

On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, detectives from the Sex Crimes Unit arrested the suspect at the Calgary International Airport upon his return to Canada. Jatinder Pal Singh BRAR, 27, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of sexual assault. He will next appear in court on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank Canadian Border Services Agency for their assistance in this investigation.

The Calgary Police Service takes all reports of sexual assault seriously. Anyone who feels they may be a victim of a sexual assault is asked to contact 9-1-1 at the time of occurrence, or the police non-emergency number 403-266-1234 to file a report at any time.

Case #17437661/4640