SURREY RCMP on Thursday confirmed that charges have now been laid against three individuals in regards to two separate violent sexual assaults against prostitutes dating back to 2012.

On April 11, a total of 17 charges were laid against three suspects:

* Simranpreet Singh Dhillon: two counts each of sexual assault with weapon, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose / commit offence, utter threats of death / bodily harm, unlawful confinement and robbery; and aggravated sexual assault.

* Sukhraj Singh Chahal: sexual assault with weapon, unlawful confinement, and robbery.

* Gurjinder Sodha: sexual assault with weapon, unlawful confinement, and robbery.

In both incidents, the victims were sex trade workers who were picked up by two males that were unknown to them. The suspects drove the victims to secluded areas where they were sexually and physically assaulted.

On August 12, 2012, a female engaged in a high risk activity as a sex trade worker was picked up by two strangers in the area of King George Boulevard and 91st Avenue. She was driven to a secluded area of Colebrook Road where she was violently sexually and physically assaulted. The suspects charged as a result of these offenses are Simranpreet Dhillon and Sukhraj Chahal.

On October 18, 2012, a second sex trade worker was picked up by two strangers in the area of King George Boulevard and 105th Avenue. She was driven to a secluded area in the 12800 block of Colebrook Road where she was also violently sexually and physically assaulted. The victim suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to local area hospital where she endured a lengthy recovery. Simranpreet Dhillon and Gurjinder Sodha have been charged for these offences.

The Surrey RCMP’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Unit were actively engaged in these investigations from the outset. This engagement included regular contacts with the group specifically targeted by these individuals in order to enhance their safety. These ongoing communications between sex-trade workers and RCMP officers are ongoing. The team of investigators who were assembled definitively linked the investigations and began gathering evidence through various means. After a lengthy and complex investigation, the suspects were identified and arrested and have been charged with a total of 17 criminal offences.

Investigators are concerned that there may be more victims who have yet to speak with police. As a result, the Surrey RCMP is appealing for potential victims or witnesses to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP Child Abuse and Sexual Offence (CASO) Unit at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS.