Calgary police are crediting the “swift actions” of Calgary Transit peace officers in the apprehension of a man police believe was responsible for a sexual assault in the southwest of the city.
At around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, a woman waiting at a bus stop on 37th Street Southwest between 26th and 28th Avenue Southwest was approached by an unknown man.
Police said the man, carrying a crowbar, demanded the woman follow him behind a nearby business. According to police, that’s where the man physically and sexually assaulted the woman.
A neighbour in the area heard the woman’s calls for help and interrupted the assault, CPS said, causing the suspect to flee. The Good Samaritan called police and the victim was transported to hospital.
James Francis Pritchard, 47, was wanted on warrants for sexual assault with a weapon.
Tuesday afternoon, police said transit peace officers located Pritchard and he is now in police custody.
“We wish to thank our partners at Calgary Transit for their collaboration and assistance in this incident,” CPS said in a statement.