Calgary restaurant owner asked teen for sex, marriage under guise of job interview: police

Calgary police have charged a man they say asked a teenage girl for sex in exchange for money and gifts.

According to investigators, last June, a 15-year-old girl went to Pilav Central, a restaurant on Macleod Trail near Heritage Drive SE,

While there, a man who identified himself as the restaurant owner approached the table.

During the conversation, police say the man offered the girl a job interview and gave her his personal contact information to set it up.

A few days later, the man exchanged texts with the girl and offered to interview her on July 9, 2024 at Chinook Mall. She said yes and went to the interview as scheduled.

Investigators say during the interview, the man began asking the teen personal questions related to her relationship status and sexual history. She felt uneasy and tried to redirect the conversation, police add.

The man then allegedly offered her $8,000 in exchange for sexual services, according to investigators. He is also believed to have offered to marry her when she turned 18, indicating he would financially support her and provide other benefits for doing so.

Police say at the end of the meeting, the teen was told to use the code phrase “ready for a second interview” if she was interested in accepting the offer.

The girl reported the incident to police soon after.

Following what police describe as a thorough investigation, 48-year-old Ruslan Reuven Pinkhasov has been charged with one count of obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18 years of age.

Pinkahasov is set to appear in court on March 19.

Anyone with information about this incident, or similar incidents, is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234 or tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers.