Security cameras recorded events surrounding an alleged sexual assault inside an LRT station Sunday morning, but did not provide clear evidence for those monitoring the feed, officials said yesterday.
Two teens were taken into custody after an alleged sexual assault and robbery at the Heritage LRT station early Sunday.
Because the incident involving a 19-year-old female took place behind ticket-vending machines at the station, the event wasn’t reported to peace officers on patrol, said Calgary Transit representative Brian Whitelaw.
“It would have been difficult to easily have seen people when you consider there are literally hundreds of cameras on this system,” he said.
Calgary Transit is currently in the midst of a $6-million upgrade to its CCTV monitoring system, and Whitelaw said the organization will continue to look into new technology in the future to help prevent Sunday’s events from recurring.
He emphasized that sexual assaults at LRT stations are “extremely rare.”
Calgary police Staff Sgt. Doug Louie said the incident appears to have been a crime of opportunity.
“The two offenders were at the LRT platform also and came across the victim, and one of them decided to sexually assault her,” he said.
Louie said the victim was examined at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre and treated for minor injuries.
The two youth suspects are scheduled to appear in court today.
