Lethbridge police have charged a 15-year-old boy after a reported sexual assault and a series of indecent acts targeting females along a city green strip. The accused’s identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police responded on Sept. 16 to the area near the 1500 block of Lakeview Drive after a 41-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted while walking on the Coalbanks Trail. Investigators say she saw a young man hiding behind a garbage can. As she passed, he allegedly made a lewd comment, ran after her, sexually assaulted her and fled. Officers searched but did not find him.

Further investigation connected the suspect description to three other incidents involving indecent acts in the same area. Police say those incidents took place in mid-August, when the suspect allegedly committed an indecent act in front of girls walking along the green strip, including an eight-year-old girl.

The teenager was arrested in the same area on Sept. 17. He faces charges of sexual assault, indecent exposure and four counts of committing an indecent act. Police released him on conditions, and he is scheduled to appear in court in October.

Based on reporting by CTV News Calgary.