York Regional Police is searching for a suspect and witnesses after a female walking her dog was sexually assaulted in Markham Saturday night.
The female and her dog were on a pathway between Riverwalk Drive and Boswell Road just after 7 p.m. on May 4 when a man approached and asked to take a photograph of the dog, police said in a news release. As the man then angled his phone toward the victim, he requested to take a picture with the victim holding her dog.
The victim was then touched in a sexual manner without her consent. She fled the scene and contacted police.
Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Investigators believe the suspect is familiar with the area as he has been previously observed.
Officers would like to speak with anyone who may have video surveillance or dash-cam footage in the area at the time of the incident.
The suspect is described as male, South Asian, 20 to 30, about 5-foot-7, thin build and brown eyes. He was wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and grey/white shoes, and appeared to be holding a can of beer at the time of the 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.
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 at 1- 866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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