Man charged with sexual assault following actions of Good Samaritans

We are thanking several witnesses who intervened during a sexual assault that occurred during the early morning hours on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, in the city’s northwest.

We were called to the Louise Riley Library, located at 1904 14 Ave. N.W., at approximately 12:10 a.m., for reports of a woman being sexually assaulted in nearby bushes.

At the time, it is believed the woman was screaming and calling for help, when several Good Samaritans who were walking in the area, intervened to stop the assault, contained the suspect and immediately contacted police.

Thanks to the quick actions of these individuals, police attended the scene and took one man into custody.

As a result, Rodrigo ORTIZ, 39, of no fixed address, is charged with one count of sexual assault.

“We are thankful to those who stepped in and helped the victim during this very traumatic incident," says Acting Staff Sgt. Adam Williams of the Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigative Unit. “Those Good Samaritans were instrumental as they stopped the assault and held the suspect until police arrived, which resulted in a quick arrest by our officers.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

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