Teen attacked with machete at Whitby cinema; Brampton bus sex assault suspect sought
A 15-year-old was slashed with a machete and robbed at a Whitby movie theatre; separately, Brampton Transit bus passengers were sexually assaulted.
Machete attack on teen at Whitby cinema; Brampton bus assault suspect at large
A 15-year-old boy was slashed in the arm with a machete and robbed of his jacket and cash at Landmark Cinemas in Whitby in the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 25, Toronto Sun Crime reports.
Durham Regional Police were called to the theatre at 75 Consumers Dr. around 12:40 a.m. after reports of an armed individual on the premises. Officers arrived to find the teenager with a serious cut to his arm.
According to investigators, the boy had gone to the cinema to meet a girl he knew through social media. A group of youths approached him and demanded his jacket. When he refused, one of the suspects produced a machete and struck him in the arm. The group then continued to assault him before taking his jacket and cash.
Paramedics treated the victim at the scene before he was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Four suspects identified
Police have identified four youths believed to be involved in the incident: a 15-year-old boy from Oshawa, a 17-year-old boy from Pickering, a 13-year-old girl from Oshawa, and one unidentified male. Arrest warrants have been issued for two of the four suspects.
Investigators believe the incident was isolated, though the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information, cell phone footage, dashcam video or surveillance footage is asked to contact Detective Cst. Boodhoo of the Central West Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1805.
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Brampton Transit sex assault suspect sought
Peel Regional Police are searching for a man suspected of sexually assaulting two passengers — including a youth — aboard Brampton Transit Züm buses between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15, Toronto Sun Crime further reports.
Investigators believe the same individual was responsible for both incidents. In each case, the man allegedly boarded a 511C bus at Humber College Terminal between approximately 4:20 p.m. and 5:11 p.m., seated himself near the victims, and subjected them to unwanted sexual touching during the ride to Brampton Gateway Terminal at 501 Main St. S.
The suspect is described as being in his early 20s to early 30s, approximately 5-foot-10 to 5-foot-11, with a thin build, a moustache and a black beard. He has long black hair, possibly tied in a bun. At the time of the incidents, he was reportedly wearing a black baseball cap, a sage-green hoodie, blue jeans and beige running shoes, and was carrying a blue Under Armour backpack.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at 905-453-2121, ext. 3460.
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Toronto man arrested months after Kennedy Rd. home invasion
Toronto police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with a home invasion and stabbing investigation near Kennedy Rd. and Ellesmere Rd., months after the violent incident took place.
Ricardo Gonzales Romero was taken into custody on Thursday, Oct. 22, and charged with failing to comply with a release order, mischief/tampering with property, and failing to attend court. Police note these charges are separate from the violent allegations at the core of the investigation.
Officers were originally called to the scene around 11:27 p.m. on Jan. 22, after two men forced their way into a victim's home when the door was answered. The pair allegedly assaulted the first victim while demanding cash, then stole an undisclosed amount of money. When a second victim appeared, one of the suspects allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the stomach before both men fled.
Two prior arrests and charges had already been made in connection with the case. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-2510.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime