Three men are facing 17 charges for violent sex and weapons crimes, and the Surrey RCMP is putting out the word in case there are other victims.
The charges related to two incidents of violent sex assaults against sex trade workers who were picked up by two males that were unknown to them.
The victims were taken to secluded areas where they were sexually and physically assaulted, explained Surrey RCMP Sgt. Dale Carr.
Charged are:
• Simranpreet Singh Dhillon: sexual assault with weapon (two charges); possession weapon dangerous purpose/commit offence (two charges); utter threats death/bodily harm (two charges); unlawful confinement (two charges); robbery (two charges); and aggravated sexual assault.
• Sukhraj Singh Chahal: sexual assault with weapon; unlawful confinement; and robbery.
• Gurjinder Sodha: sexual assault with weapon; unlawful confinement; and robbery.
On Aug. 12, 2012, a sex trade worker was picked up by two strangers in the area of King George Boulevard and 91st Avenue.
She was driven to a secluded area of Colebrook Road where she was violently sexually and physically assaulted. The suspects charged as a result of these offenses are Dhillon and Chahal.
On Oct. 18, 2012, a sex trade worker was picked up by two strangers in the area of King George Boulevard and 105th Avenue.
Again she was She was driven to a secluded area in the 12800 block of Colebrook Road where she was also violently sexually and physically assaulted.
The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to local area hospital where she endured a lengthy recovery.
Dhillon and Sodha have been charged in relation to this incident.
Investigators are concerned that there may be more victims who have yet to speak with police. As a result, the Surrey RCMP is appealing for potential victims or witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP Child Abuse & Sexual Offence (CASO) Unit at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The Surrey detachment’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Unit were actively engaged in these investigations.
“This engagement included regular contacts with the group specifically targeted by these individuals in order to enhance their safety,†Carr said. “These ongoing communications between sex-trade workers and our officers are ongoing.â€
The team of investigators who were assembled definitively linked the investigations and began gathering evidence through various means. After a lengthy and complex investigation, the suspects were identified and arrested and have been charged with a total of 17 criminal offences.