NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE SERVICES
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section have charged a 19-year-old man following a sexual assault that occurred in the City of Markham.
On Monday, July 13, 2020, officers responded to an office building on Steeles Avenue, east of Warden Avenue, for a report of a sexual assault.
Officers learned that the suspect entered the building and went into the office of a female employee. The suspect locked the door to the office and prevented the victim from leaving.
The victim was attacked and sexually assaulted. During the interaction, the suspect took a knife out of his bag, but the victim managed to get out of the room and call for help.
The suspect was arrested at the scene. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
This incident was a random attack and the victim was not known to the suspect. Investigators are releasing an image of the accused to ensure there are no additional victims. Investigators are also asking any additional witnesses to come forward.
Charged: Joshua Jones, 19, of the City of Toronto
Charges:
- Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm
- Forcible Confinement
- Possession of a Weapon
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: https://www.yrp.ca/en/Online-Reporting.asp
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 at www.1800222tips.com.
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