NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section have arrested a man wanted for assaulting two women in separate incidents that recently occurred in the Cities of Markham and Toronto.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., a woman was walking through an alleyway from McCowan Road towards Woodhall Road in Markham. A man grabbed the victim around her neck 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.
On Feb. 2, 2023, around 12:08 a.m., a woman was walking in the area of Brimley Road and Lawrence Avenue East in Toronto when a man approached from behind, choked the victim, took the woman’s cell phone and ran away.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section, along with members of the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit and investigators from 12, 43 and 55 divisions, worked cooperatively and tirelessly on these cases. Through investigation, the suspect was identified and on February 15, 2023, he was located and arrested in the City of Toronto.
Investigators are concerned that there may be other victims who have not yet contacted police and we encourage to come forward.
Charged
- Oegadesg Thomas Howe, 33 years, of Toronto
Charges include:
- assault causing bodily harm
- assault causing bodily harm - choking
- assault with a weapon
- robbery
- fail to comply with release order
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing. He is scheduled to appear in the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket on Feb. 16, 2023.
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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