A Red Deer woman who went to a resident hoping to buying an item she found online was instead assaulted by the seller, say police.
At about 5 p.m. on Feb. 19, Red Deer RCMP responded to a 911 call about the assault in the Clearview neighbourhood of the city.
The victim said she had responded to an online ad and was interested in buying the item. But after she entered the seller’s home to see the item, she was pushed and threatened by the suspect.
She kicked the suspect and was able to escape the residence. She called 911 once she was safely in her vehicle.
Cory Michael Schafer, 40, of Red Deer has been charged with assault, uttering threats and failing to comply with a probation order. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on April 15 in Red Deer provincial court.
Police would like to remind people to be cautious when meeting strangers they have encountered online. They suggest meeting in a public place or bringing another person along to be safe.