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BROCKVILLE, Ont. - A text message from a quick-thinking teen allowed Brockville police to arrest an Ottawa man suspected of sex assault Saturday night.
Police were called around 6:30 p.m. to the south end, where a young woman was reportedly being sexually assaulted by a man doing door-to-door sales for an Ottawa firm, said Sgt. Todd Bertrend.
The 17-year-old victim reportedly opened her apartment door to the man, who then entered the apartment without her knowing, said Bertrend.
"I believe she re-enters her apartment to get some documentation and he goes into the apartment (after her)," he said.
The victim managed to send a text message to a family member who then called police.
"We arrested him a short time later in the area," said Bertrend.
The man was legitimately working for the Ottawa firm, said Bertrend, who did not have the identity of that company Sunday morning.
Bertrend would not provide more specific details about the location of the crime.
The victim did not require medical treatment, said the sergeant.
Although there was "physical contact" between the assailant and the victim, the incident was not a rape, he said.
"It was simply actions by him that fit the definition of a sexual assault," said Bertrend.
Ahmed Ali Ahmed, 18, of Ottawa, has been charged with sexual assault in connection with the incident, said Bertrend.
The accused also faces charges of break and enter, breach of an undertaking in connection with charges laid in Ottawa, and a charge of theft in connection with the theft of an item of the victim's clothing, said the sergeant.
The charges were processed in satellite court Sunday morning and the accused was in custody pending a bail hearing Monday at 2 p.m.
Bertrend commended the victim for her quick thinking. With an increasing number of people doing door-to-door sales, police warn city residents to remain vigilant and ready to call police if there is anything suspicious.
"I think it's just another example of how people need to be careful," said Bertrend.