An Edmonton real estate agent has been charged by police with several offences including sexual assault after alleged incidents involving three Edmonton prostitutes over the past couple of months.

26-year-old Oldin Yadir Maldonado has been charged with several offences including two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm, three counts of unlawful confinement, and one count each of sexual assault, robbery, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Maldonado works under the umbrella of Remax Elite.

Edmonton police began the investigation after receiving information about a sexual assault on a female prostitute that occurred back in mid-April. Then, two more assaults similar to the previous one, were reported on May 13.

In all three cases, the women were picked up in the 118 Avenue area and taken to various Edmonton locations. Police said they've determined that the incidents involved the same suspect.

"Officers were then able to essentially connect the dots and realize that two other assaults, similar in nature had taken place in May on different prostitutes," said EPS spokesman Dean Parthenis.

Co-worker Wally Fakhreddine said he's known Maldonado for about three years and doesn't believe he could be capable of such crimes.

"He's a down to earth, easy going kind of guy and it's just something that is shocking to hear," he said.

Maldonado works under Realtor Peter Kubiczek and he told CTV News he has never received any complaints from clients about Maldonado.

The Real Estate Association said Monday that home buyers and sellers can be assured that dealing with Realtors is safe and background checks are mandatory every time someone applies for a licence.

"There are criminal investigations done, fingerprinting that's done by the council and so forth," said Ron Hutchinson with the Realtors Association of Edmonton.

At this point, Maldonado's licence has not been suspended or cancelled but the Real Estate Council of Alberta is reviewing the case.

If Maldonado is cleared of the charges, he would still be able to practice real estate, however, if he's found guilty it's likeley his licence would be cancelled and he would have to reapply for it after serving his sentence.

Maldonado is currently in police custody.

With files from CTV Edmonton's Bill Fortier