On August 02, 2023, a report was made to the Red Deer RCMP that a female teen was followed off a city bus, grabbed and assaulted by a male.  The female was able to fight the male off and run to safety nearby. The female was not physically injured in this incident.

A second incident occurred on August 10, 2023, and was reported later that evening. A female teen had been followed off the city bus to her residence by an unknown male. The same male was captured on video surveillance looking into the window of the residence later that evening.

On August 11, 2023 a third teenaged female reported having been sexually assaulted, touched unwillingly, by an unknown male while seated on the City bus. Video Surveillance from the same date captures a fourth female teen being unwillingly touched by a male on the city bus. This female has not yet been identified.

All incidents took place in the north west end of the city, in the neighborhoods of Johnstone, Kentwood and Highland Green.

As a result of the investigations, a single male was identified as being responsible for these incidents.

Matthew Ryan (24) a resident of Red Deer, was arrested and has been charged with the following:

  • Assault
  • Sexual Assault X2
  • Harassment X2
  • Indecent Act
  • Failing to comply with an Undertaking

Ryan was held for a judicial interim release hearing where he was remanded to Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on August 25, 2023.

Further subsequent and preceding incidents are being investigated dating back to April 2023. Incidents are believed to have taken place on or off the city bus and possibly in different areas of the city.

At this time Red Deer RCMP are looking to speak with any other members of the public who may have witnessed or been involved in a similar incident.

Matthew Ryan is described as:

  • White male
  • Mid 20’s
  • Brown hair
  • Grown out buzz cut or shaggy hair
  • Unshaven
  • Bigger build

Anyone with further information is encouraged to make a report and contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200.  If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or using the "P3 TIPS" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

 

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