CALGARY -- Cops have collared a man suspected in a spree of foot fetish assaults.

Police say they have charged a 21-year-old man following a six-month probe into unwanted and inappropriate foot touching.

Det. Jim Hands said he investigated nine incidents involving eight victims and have laid charges on four cases.

In each case, middle-aged women were approached in grocery store or shopping mall parking lots by aman.

Police say he expressed an interest in the victims' pedicure, suggesting he wanted to buy one for a wife or girlfriend.

He had the victims place their feet within touching distance to have a closer look at the details of the pedicure work before touching them inappropriately.

Hands said the accused is charged with assault in three of the cases and sexual assault in the fourth.

"The allegation is that this male licked one of the victims' feet," Hands said, noting there was a sexual motive in the case.

Middle-aged women between 45 and 65 years old were targeted.

The first assault took place in the city's northeast in late January and the most recent happened July 26.

Hands said it took about six months before police were able to lay charges.

"Matters of this complexity obviously involve a lot of foot work, police work and a thorough investigation," he said. "It's been quite unusual to investigate by its very nature.

"It seems somewhat out there, but that's the nature of police work."

Hands said he's been a cop for more than 20 years and it is the first time he investigated such as case.

He added any allegations of assault on citizens are taken by police seriously.

"We want the city to be safe," he said.

Mateusz Trojanowski is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Other potential victims and witnesses are asked to call 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.