Calgary teacher charged after series of robberies, sexual assaults starting in January

CBC News has confirmed that the man police have charged after a series of robberies and sexual assaults targeting personal care businesses is a Calgary teacher. 

Andrew Frank Sorensen, 36, has been charged with four counts of sexual assault with a weapon, four counts of armed robbery, four counts of disguise with intent and one count of uttering threats.

A Calgary Catholic School District spokesperson said the district has been informed by the Calgary Police Service that criminal charges have been laid against a St. Isidore School staff member.

"None of the charges involve our students. The staff member has been suspended from work," said CCSD spokesperson Felicia Zuniga.

Zuniga said St. Isidore is an online-only school, and Sorensen would not have been teaching in person with students this year. 

The Alberta Teachers' Association confirmed that a request for investigation has been received related to Sorensen, and it will be investigating. 

The Calgary Police Service says the investigation started Jan. 30 when officers responded to two robbery and sexual assault complaints involving three victims.

Investigators discovered a string of related incidents in the communities of Montgomery, Chinook and Ogden, in which the suspect entered a personal care business, demanded money and sexually assaulted female employees at gunpoint.

In February, businesses in Glendale and Forest Lawn were also robbed, though employees were not injured.

"This is the first time in several years that Calgary has seen a series of such targeted, stranger sexual assaults," said Det. Timothy Fitzgibbon with the sexual assault investigative unit. 

"Our focus was to find the suspect to stop these violent offences and to work with personal care businesses to share information and prevent further incidents and establish some safety planning."

On March 17, police had enough evidence to identify a suspect. A search warrant for Sorensen was executed in the southeast community of Cranston.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected. They encourage any victims of this type of crime to contact police.

Fitzgibbon said that while a serial attacker targeting a certain type of victim is very infrequent, "it's extremely dangerous to people who are being victimized."

He said police are providing support to the victims through their partnering agencies.

Anyone who has information about these crimes can contact CPS's non-emergency number, 403-266-1234, or anonymously report tips through Crime Stoppers.

Sorensen is scheduled to appear in court on March 29.