A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 59-year-old Innisfail man charged with mischief and assaulting a minor in Bowden.
Olds RCMP began an investigation this month after receiving reports of an older man attempting to lure small children into his room at the Bowden Hotel, said Cpl. Troy Byrt, acting commander of the Olds RCMP detachment.
“During the month of July we were getting numerous complaints about some inappropriate activity that was taking place in the Bowden Hotel,” said Byrt.
Through its investigation, Byrt said Olds RCMP determined no sexual activity had occurred.
However, he said there was an alleged incident on July 10 for which the man has been charged with one count of assault against a 12-year-old boy.
“There's an allegation that he grabbed a child's arm,” said Byrt, adding that at the time, the man was allegedly trying to entice the boy up to his room.
The boy pulled away and left, said Byrt.
A mischief charge has also been laid against the man in relation to an incident involving the same boy the following day.
Byrt said it is alleged the man kicked the boy's bicycle.
While the man has an Innisfail mailing address, he was living at the Bowden Hotel at the time of the alleged offences. He has since left the community, and police have been unable to track him down.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Larry Alexander Armstrong.
