Man faces 13 counts for sexual assault, kidnapping women: Calgary police
Calgary police have arrested a man they allege kidnapped, drugged, and sexually assaulted multiple women from the city.
The charges come after a continued extensive investigation and search of an acreage east of Chestermere.
In a statement Monday, officers say the investigation began in March when they received allegations about women being targeted in the sex trade in Calgary.
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They believe at least three women were approached by a man on 19 Avenue SE in Forest Lawn between December 2021 and March 2023, where the women were allegedly drugged and taken to a rural property where they were physically and sexually assaulted.
The investigation brought dozens of officers, forensic investigators and cadaver dogs to the acreage.
On Thursday, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and Alberta RCMP searched a home on Vale View Road, Rocky View County, which is north of Willow View and east of Calgary.
Richard Robert Mantha, 59, was arrested and faces 13 counts, including kidnapping, forcible confinement, “administering a noxious thing,” sexual assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and pointing a firearm.
Investigators say the suspect had three outstanding warrants for sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, and failure to appear in court.
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“Over the past several weeks, this investigation has evolved rapidly,” said Acting S Sgt. Shelby Stewart of the CPS District 4 General Investigations Unit.
“We are grateful to the victims who have come forward and trusted us with this investigation and ask anyone else with information to contact police.”
Richard Robert Mantha, a suspect accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting women from Calgary. (Courtesy Facebook)
The focus for police has been on a shop located on the acreage.
The owners of the property have not been allowed in the area since the police investigation started; instead, they were instructed to stay at hotels.
Officers say the search will be complete on Tuesday.
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CPS would also like to remind those that are victims of sexual assault to report it to the police, saying there is no statute of limitations on reporting sexual assault in the country.
In addition, officers say sexual assault crimes are underreported for those in the sex trade and say there are additional resources if contacting police would make them uncomfortable.
They refer to the Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, 211 Alberta, and the Alberta One-Line for Sexual Violence.
Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
