Police are reminding people of the potential dangers of the nightclub scene after a 29-year-old woman was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted at a Niagara Falls hotel.

Last Sunday, the NRP's Casino Patrol Unit was called in to find a missing woman at the hotel on Fallsview Blvd.  She was found several hours later in one of the hotel rooms.  Investigators determined she had been escorted to the room by a group of men, drugged and then sexually assaulted by a 38-year-old man.
 
The suspect, Dino Capirchio of Innisfil, has been charged.  Five other Toronto area men have also been taken in to custody as well but no charges have been filed as yet. The investigation is ongoing.

Police are warning people to be careful when going to a bar or club and to always keep an eye on your drink.  Certain drugs can easily be slipped in to a beverage that can cause extreme intoxication, leaving victims exceptionally vulnerable to violent crime and sexual assault.

The Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre (CARSA), the Sexual Assault/ Domestic Violence Treatment Program of the Niagara Health Systems and the NRP agree the public can take a number of steps to prevent drug facilitated sexual assaults and offer the following suggestions;

• Never leave a drink unattended
• Ensure you have transportation to and from the place you are attend so you do not have to rely on new-found friends to provide you with a ride
• Whenever possible, observe your requested drink as it is poured and transported to you
• Never accept a drink from a person who you do not know and trust
• Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings in clubs
• Attend these locations with persons whom you trust and you know will ensure your welfare is protected
• Do not leave your friends alone in the company of strangers
• Be alert to sudden and unexplained episodes of intoxication that are out of character for friends
• Be alert to the uncharacteristic behavior of friends
• Be alert to people around you who appear to show up during times where rapid intoxication has occurred. As well, alert to those people who offer assistance or seek to socialize with anyone who has become overtly intoxicated
• When in doubt ask for the assistance of emergency services personnel ie: police or EMS, and
• Do not rely solely on the security staff of these premises to ensure your safety.

Anyone who may have information about this incident as asked to call the NRP or can be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara at 1-800-222-8477