Police continue search for suspect wanted in sexual assaults at Richmond Hill mall

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section continue to seek assistance to identify a suspect in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred in the City of Richmond Hill.

On Jan. 13, 2022, officers received information that on Dec. 18, 2021 at approximately 3:30 p.m., a female victim was in a store at a mall located at Yonge Street and 16th Avenue when an unknown male suspect touched her without her consent.

A second victim came forward who reported that on Jan. 8, 2022, she was at the mall when the suspect attempted to engage her in conversation of a personal and sexual nature and then touched her without her consent. He then fled from the area after refusing to identify himself.

Investigators are releasing photos and video surveillance and are asking anyone who can identify the suspect to please come forward.

Suspect described as:
    •    Male, Black, 20 to 30
    •    Light facial hair and wide eyes
    •    6’1”, medium build
    •    In both incidents he was wearing a 3⁄4 length black faux fur coat, a black yukon/aviator style hat with fur covering his ears, and a black back pack
    •    In one incident he was wearing black jeans and was wearing white jeans in the second incident

A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. York Regional Police would like to encourage anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report the incident to police. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence.

If you are the survivor of sexual assault, you can report the incident online if:
    •    You are not in danger
    •    The person who assaulted you is not present
    •    There is no evidence present that may be collected by police (blood, semen, saliva, etc.). Evidence can be collected for up to 12 days after the sexual assault has occurred
    •    You have access to a private email address, to which the suspect does not have access

Use the following link for more information and to make an online report.

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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