Pickering art teacher faces 22 charges of sexual assault on two girls
A 63-year-old Pickering man offering private art lessons has been charged with 22 counts of sexual assault and interference involving two minors. Police fear there may be more victims.
Pickering art teacher arrested after months of alleged abuse in victims' homes
A 63-year-old art teacher from Pickering has been charged with 22 criminal counts after two girls were allegedly sexually assaulted repeatedly in their own homes, Durham Regional Police announced. Toronto Sun Crime reports that the accused, Faruk Dewan, was arrested in Ajax and faces 11 counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under the age of 16.
Police said the investigation began in July 2026 following a complaint that the suspect had sexually assaulted two female children on multiple occasions. According to investigators, the alleged abuse took place between November 2025 and July 2026. Dewan was known to both victims' families and had allegedly targeted the children numerous times over that period.
Dewan is said to provide art lessons out of a residence in Pickering. Durham Regional Police have stated they are concerned there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact D/Cst. Gomez of the Special Victims Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5391. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
Four men sought in Rosedale roofing fraud that damaged home
Toronto Police are seeking four men in connection with an alleged roofing scam that resulted in deliberate damage to a property in the Rosedale neighbourhood. Toronto Sun Crime also covered the incident, which unfolded between August 10 and August 17 in the Mount Pleasant Rd. and Elm Ave. area.
According to police, the first suspect approached the homeowner presenting himself as a "fraud investigator" looking into roofing scams in the area. He told the homeowner the repairs would be free and that reimbursement would follow. The suspect later returned with a second man and asked the homeowner to pay up front for the work — an offer the homeowner declined.
Days later, the original suspect came back to the address with three other men, without the homeowner's knowledge, and damaged both the roof and the fence of the property.
Police have released the following descriptions of the four suspects:
- Suspect 1: Male, large build, clean-shaven, grey baseball cap with a light-coloured brim, white polo T-shirt, dark blue shorts, grey shoes.
- Suspect 2: Male, medium build, clean-shaven, medium-length black hair, black long-sleeved shirt, black pants, black shoes with white soles.
- Suspect 3: Male, medium build, brown short side beard, blue baseball cap with an unknown logo, blue and white plaid long-sleeved shirt, blue shorts.
- Suspect 4: Male, slim build, clean-shaven, grey baseball cap, sunglasses, dark blue polo T-shirt, light blue shorts.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Police at 416-808-5300, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at 222tips.com.
Richmond Hill acupuncturist charged with sexual assault during appointment
York Regional Police have charged a 61-year-old Richmond Hill acupuncturist with sexual assault following an alleged incident during a clinical appointment. The suspect, Jianji Li, was arrested after a patient reported being assaulted at a location in the Major Mackenzie Dr. E. and Bayview Ave. area on a Sunday.
Investigators have released a photograph of Li, indicating they believe there may be further victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact York Regional Police #2 District at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7241, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or at 1800222tips.com.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime