A Lethbridge man has been charged with sexual assault

A Lethbridge man has been charged with sexual assault for the second time in two months, and police believe there may be more victims.

Lethbridge police say a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man Jan. 30 inside a trailer parked in a lot along the 3700 block of Mary Magrath Drive South.

After the attack, the man followed the victim to a nearby store, where she went into the women's bathroom and waited for the police to arrive.

The man was then taken into custody inside the store without incident. Police said the man and woman knew each other.

As a result, Malek Fares, 47, of Lethbridge, was charged with sexual assault. He was released from custody on the condition that he not have contact with the victim.

Tariff is scheduled to appear in court on March 27.

Police said Fares was charged with sexual assault in a separate incident in December 2023.

On Dec. 8, a 39-year-old woman reported she was sexually assaulted by a man inside a trailer parked in a lot in the 3700 block of Mary Magrath Drive South.

According to the woman, the man previously attacked her with burns.

Police located the man and the trailer and arrested him without incident.

Fares was later charged with sexual assault, assault with a weapon and assault.

After further investigation, Lethbridge police said they obtained evidence that Fares had victimized other women. He was known to frequent the Lethbridge shelter and attract vulnerable women.

Police have released a photo of Phares in an effort to identify additional victims who do not know him by name or only an alias.

Any unknown victims are encouraged to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 24001791.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).