Suspect in alleged sex assault of Medicine Hat cab driver believed to be in Calgary: police

Police are warning the public about a sexual assault suspect they believe is in the Calgary area.

Investigators said a man approached a cab parked in downtown Medicine Hat Thursday around 10 p.m. and asked the female driver for a ride to the Southview Drive area.

“Upon arrival at the destination, the male stepped out of the vehicle briefly and then returned, where he physically assaulted the driver and assumed control of the vehicle,” Medicine Hat police said in a press release Friday.

It’s alleged the man drove the cab to the Riverside area where he parked and sexually assaulted the victim, before driving to Calgary and releasing her there.

Police said the victim went to a nearby home, requesting help. Officers were notified just after midnight.

The victim’s cab and the suspect still had not been found Friday evening.

The suspect is described as an Aboriginal man with a medium build, under 6 feet tall, in his early 30s, with short hair and a tattoo on his left cheek (described as a dot). He was clean shaven, wearing a backwards red baseball cap and blue jeans at the time of the attack.

The cab is described as a 2005 medium blue Dodge Caravan with “Deluxe Taxi” decals, including Unit #41, and Alberta license plate: K 54924.

Police asked anyone with information to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service, “unless immediate police action in Calgary is required, in which case call the Calgary Police Service directly at 403-266-1234.”