Man arrested for series of sex attacks near York University in Toronto

The hunt for a violent serial sexual predator who has been terrorizing women near York University has now led to an arrest.

Toronto Police Insp. Domenic Sinopoli released a composite sketch and video of a suspect at a news conference Friday, explaining the same man was sought for at least five sexual assaults and one robbery.

The attacker most recently struck twice on Thursday.

“We’re very concerned about the escalating nature of these occurrences,” Sinopoli said, encouraging women to be vigilant.

“He is absolutely getting more violent.”

He said detectives concluded the attacker was the same man based on location, time of the attacks and victimology.

Sinopoli would not elaborate on race, hair colour or age of the victims.

Calling the attacker a “predator,” he said it’s believed the man first struck on Oct. 24.

Here are the incidents:

— On Dec. 20, around 9:10 p.m., a 30-year-old woman was walking home from Finch West subway station when she was violently attacked near 23 Four Winds Dr. She was knocked unconscious, then sexually assaulted when she awoke.

— On Dec. 20, around 9:25 p.m., a 20-year-old woman was in the area of 31 Four Winds Dr. when she was followed by a man who had been loitering nearby. He approached her, threatened her with a knife and made a demand for her property. He stole the woman’s cell phone and sexually assaulted her.

— On Dec. 19, around 9:30 p.m., a 22-year-old woman was walking along a path on the north side of Finch Ave. W. into Fountainhead Park when she was grabbed from behind by a man who held a knife to her throat, sexually assaulted her, then took her phone and ear buds.

— On Dec. 10, a woman was using her phone while sitting on a park bench just east of the tennis courts at 455 Sentinel Rd. when a man approached and engaged her in conversation. He grabbed her and a short struggle ensued before he was able to take her purse.

— On Oct. 31, a 22-year-old woman was walking in the area of Cook and Sentinel Rds. when a man approached, grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her.

— On Oct. 24, a 20-year-old woman was walking home in the area of Murray Ross Pkwy. and Sentinel Rd. when she was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted.

Police have since announced that a man was arrested hours after the news conference and charged with related offences.

“For investigative reasons, his name and information will not be released at this time,” Sinopoli said in a statement released Saturday. “The information will be released when appropriate.”

The statement also thanked the public for all of their assistance and encouraged citizens to “always remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings” and to report any suspicious occurrences to police.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the Sex Crimes Unit at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Please share this