Sexual assault charges laid after women squirted with unknown substance at West Edmonton Mall

Edmonton police arrested and charged a man accused of squirting an unknown substance on women at different stores in the west end.

Police say they have charged a 28-year-old man with three counts of sexual assault after he allegedly squirted an unknown substance on women at West Edmonton Mall and possibly other shopping centres.

• Download our app to get Edmonton alerts on your device

It was reported to police on Nov. 20 that a woman was riding an escalator when a man approached her from behind and intentionally squirted an unknown substance resembling semen on her back and buttocks, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said.

Jensen Jeffery is accused of following approximately seven women that day in a similar way between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. without their knowledge.

Jeffery was arrested on Jan. 14 and was later released on conditions, including not to attend shopping malls, not be in possession of weapons, and remain within Alberta unless written permission from the courts is granted.

Investigators also found that similar incidents occurred on Nov. 4 at Home Sense in Mayfield Common, and on Nov. 8 at the Costco on Winterburn Road.

Police believe there may be additional locations and dates where similar incidents may have occurred.

“This behaviour is unacceptable.” said EPS Staff Sgt. Christa Laforce in a statement Wednesday. “Whether the substance is real or an imitation does not change the seriousness of what occurred.

“Acts intended to sexually violate, humiliate or degrade another person will be treated as sexual assault.”

Anyone who may have been approached or targeted in a similar way is asked to contact EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.