Man lured, sexually assaulted girl at mall: police

A 19-year-old man is accused of luring and sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a Winnipeg shopping mall after meeting online.

Police said the victim went to an individual washroom upon seeing a man she agreed to meet in person Aug. 21.

The man followed her into the washroom, locked the door, sexually assaulted her and then threatened her as he left, police said. He then fled the mall.

The girl sought help from mall security, who contacted police. The victim received medical attention.

After the sex crimes unit identified a suspect, officers searched and seized electronic devices at a home in Winnipeg’s South Pointe West neighbourhood Aug. 31. A suspect was arrested later that day.

Police said Muhammad Zain is charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, uttering threats, luring a person under 16 by means of telecommunication, and forcible confinement. He was held in custody.