An investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault and forcible confinement has lead to the arrest of a local taxi driver. The RCMP is investigating "one or more" employees of Golden Cabs over events spanning several months.

Four females have reported assaults since October, including a 13-year-old girl.

On Jan. 25, Dawson Creek RCMP received a complaint that a teenager had been allegedly lured into a taxi with the promise of a free ride home, but instead the victim reported to police that she was locked inside the vehicle and sexually assaulted by the driver.

In the course of that investigation, Dawson Creek RCMP identified victims of three other alleged incidents involving three other female victims spanning as far back as last October.

The 55-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection to one of those incidents – which had not been previously reported to police – and remains in police custody pending approval of charges by Crown council, said Staff Sgt. Milo MacDonald, commander of the Dawson Creek Detachment.

He could not confirm if that suspect is connected to the most recent incident reported on Jan. 25.

Police have executed a search warrant at the local office of Grande Prairie-based Golden Cabs and are in the process of interviewing additional witnesses. The investigation involves collaboration with Grande Prairie RCMP.

“The thing we are most interested in is determining whether there are any other victims out there who have experienced anything similar,” said MacDonald.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the local detachment at 250-784-3700, or the Grande Prairie detachment at 780-830-5734 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

MacDonald could not comment on the health or well-being of the victims, but said that victim’s services are available if requested.

He said the nature of these allegations are serious and very concerning, and while he would advise against leaving children and youth unsupervised in any situation, he did not go so far as to say he had specific concerns as to the safety of taxi cabs. He also noted the investigation only involves Golden Cabs, one of two taxi companies operating in Dawson Creek.

The City of Dawson Creek issued a statement in reaction to the news release from the RCMP stating action is being taken in regards to these allegations.

“City Council is taking these allegations very seriously,” said Mayor Mike Bernier in a statement. “The safety of Dawson Creek citizens is paramount. We are therefore asking staff to explore all our options regarding possible suspension or revocation of the company’s business license. In addition we will be contacting the provincial body responsible for the regulation and licensing of taxi companies and asking that they conduct a Fitness Review of Golden Cabs.”

The Passenger Transportation Board is the provincial authority responsible for issuing licences for taxi companies to operate, and as a result of a Fitness Review, the Board may cancel a license, suspend all vehicles from operating, suspend one or more vehicles from operating, attach terms and conditions to a license, or, determine that the company is fit and proper and capable of providing the service.

“It is a surprise to me,” said Abraham Koshin, manager and part owner of Golden Cabs, who said he was "shocked" to learn of the allegations.

“It is not Golden Cabs, it is an individual who happened to work for the company who is being investigated by the police. This matter is under investigation and we have contacted a lawyer in Grande Prairie.”

He continues to stand behind his staff, saying that the actions of one individual do not reflect upon everyone who works for Golden Cabs.

“The drivers in Dawson Creek have been with the company quite some time and it is a surprise to me.

However, he said that he doubted the arrest would affect the business, or influence people’s willingness to use his cab company. He is not concerned about a potential Fitness Review by the Passenger Transportation Board.

“There won’t be any changes to the service in Dawson Creek. We’re not going anywhere. There is a concern about public perception but what are we going to say? We’re safe.”

When the results of the police investigation are made public, he believes that the public will “surprised” by their conclusions.

“We don’t know about guilt or innocence, it’s just an allegation,” he said.

“The public will know the reality and the facts. The public will be surprised by the outcome. I don’t want to say more about the investigation but it will be the opposite to what they think.”

Tracy Porteous, executive director of the End Violence Association of British Columbia – a Vancouver-based not-for-profit that provides services to victims of violent crime, including sexual assaults – said she while she is not aware of any specific incidents involving taxi drivers in the past, she said it is not surprising that a child sexual predator might take a job or volunteer position that allows for access to children. She said it is also not uncommon for those incidents to go unreported.

“The problem is that sexual assault is probably the most underreported crime in our society, and it is a crime that comes with very serious aftermaths of psychological consequences for the victim, but it is hidden still in our society,” said Porteous.

“Women very rarely report it because so there’s so much stigma and blame still on the victim, so for those who came forward to talk to the police about this, I applaud their bravery.”

She said with a general lack of transportation alternatives in northern communities, parents want to be able to trust that taxis are a safe mode of transportation for their children when they are unable to provide those rides.

“I think that is one of the things that makes this situation and others like it beyond tragic, because it is going to cause, and should cause, parents to have to rethink those kinds of arrangements,” she said.

She added the allegations raise the question of whether taxi drivers should be more rigorously screened for criminal behaviour. Dawson Creek does have a bylaw that requires taxi drivers obtain a criminal records check before they can operate in the city.