York Regional Police have released a second surveillance video clip, this time showing what investigators call ‘a person of interest’ relating to a string of five daylight sex assaults in Newmarket.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18 at about 5:50 p.m., police say a 19-year-old woman was walking on a pathway along the north fence of Upper Canada Mall’s parking lot. She walked past a man on the pathway, near Gail Parks Crescent. Police allege the man turned around to follow the woman, ran up behind her and grabbed her buttocks.
The suspect fled on foot in an eastbound direction and later jumped over the fence into the Upper Canada Mall parking lot.
The victim was not physically injured during the incident.
The latest video clip released shows a man who was walking near the location at the time and where the offence occurred, police said.
This ‘person of interest’ is seen in the video walking in a grey hoodie and grey pants along a sidewalk.
Police say they would like to speak to this individual.
In a more aggressive incident that occurred on the morning of Sept. 25, police say an 18-year-old woman was walking on Aspenwood Drive when she was pushed to the ground. The suspect allegedly tried to pull clothes off the woman, before a passerby intervened and the suspect fled the scene.
Police say they are investigating a total of five incidents that occurred between Aug. 18 and Oct. 13 in the area bounded by Highway 9, Green Lane, Yonge and Bathurst streets.
Police say the suspect is a white male, between 20 and 25 years old. He stands about five-feet-five inches tall, and weighs 125 to 130 pounds.
He has been seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt and pants.
Investigators believe the suspect is intentionally targeting small, thin females, who may be using their cellphones while walking or listening to music with headphones.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
