Toronto Police have issued a public safety alert over a series of sexual assaults they believe were committed by the same teenager.
And they are seeking the public’s help in identifying the young suspect.
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Judicial authorization was obtained so that images of the unknown youth and a composite sketch could be released.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act protects the identity of young offenders, but exceptions can be made.
“It is quite rare,” said Toronto Police Const. Laura Brabant on Wednesday, the day the police alert was issued. “We don’t release photos of those under 18, but having exhausted all investigative resources, our investigators applied to a judge for permission.”
That permission expires Monday, Oct. 10 after which time all images of the youth must be removed.
The young man in question is believed to be involved in a half-dozen sexual assault cases that date back to July. In almost every case, the women were running or biking on east-end trails and the boy was on a bike.
Two assaults were reported to police on July 7 and 8 on the Gatineau Hydro Corridor Trail just west of Birchmount Rd.
In the first, police sayr a woman running on the trail between Crockford Blvd. and Birchmount Rd. was assaulted after a teenage boy blocked her way with his bike.
The next day on the grail, between Birchmount and Kennedy Rd., police say a woman on her bike was followed by the youth and assaulted. Cops say got her to stop by saying he would show her an “11 fingers TikTok trick.”
Police were called to another assault on July 23 after a 52-year-old woman walking along the East Don River Trail near Wynford Heights Crescent was assaulted.
Another assault happened July 22 involving a 54-year-old woman walking the same trail between Wynford Dr. and Sloane Ave. Police say the youth asked her for water.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, a woman seated at a park bench in the Birchmount Rd. and St. Clair Ave. E. area was assaulted.
Cops say the suspect then fled toward the intersection of Birchmount Rd. and St Clair Ave. E.
That same day, police were called after a woman walking on the East Don Trail was allegedly assaulted by the same teenager.
The youth appears to be around 15-17 years old and is described as being about 5-foot-5, with a thin build and short brown hair. He was described each time as wearing a red t-shirt and black shorts, with a distinctive brown camouflauge-like design on his backpack.
He was riding a dark mountain bike.
Investigators are concerned that there are more victims.
“We’re hoping someone will identify him,” said Brabant.
“The bike is quite distinctive. We’ve released these images. If anyone recognizes him or knows who he is, we ask that they please contact police.”
And, adds Brabant, “If you are the boy’s parent or guardian, please contact a lawyer and bring him to the nearest police station.
“Hopefully we will identify this person.”
Anyone with information should contact police at 416-808-4100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
