NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section are seeking public assistance in identifying a suspect and advising that a link has been made between an assault against a woman in Markham and a similar incident that occurred in Toronto.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., an adult woman was walking through an alleyway from McCowan Road towards Woodhall Road. An unknown male suspect grabbed the victim and forcefully dragged her between two houses. A person with a dog walked past the area and motion sensor lights were activated, at which time the suspect fled the scene.
Police have reason to believe that the suspect travelled on the TTC and attended the Scarborough Town Center on the evening of Feb.1, 2023, and are concerned he may have followed other women prior to the offence. Investigators have released images and video of the suspect and are asking anyone who knows this suspect, or who may have seen or had contact with him, to come forward and report it to police.
It is believed that the Toronto Police Service is investigating a similar incident involving the same suspect. A link to their media release for that incident is here.
The suspect is urged to contact legal counsel and turn himself in.
A video of the suspect is available for viewing at the following link.
Suspect description:
- Male
- 5’10”, medium build
- Wearing a green coat, hat, black gloves, black boots and camouflage pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online.
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