A 15-year-old boy has been denied bail after being charged in connection with more than a dozen sexual assaults in Toronto's Bloor-Christie neighbourhood.
Toronto police announced the teen's arrest earlier today, saying the assaults caused "a tremendous amount of fear" for women over a three-month period.
The suspect was arrested late Saturday night after a woman was sexually assaulted near Bloor Street West and Roxton Road, police Chief Bill Blair said at a news conference Monday morning.
“The assault took place and he was arrested right at the scene of the assault,” Blair told reporters.
Blair said he hopes the arrest brings a sense of relief to the victims and to residents who were traumatized by the incidents.
“Women have a right to walk in their neighbourhoods and on our streets without the fear of being victimized,” Blair later said during an interview with CP24’s George Lagogianes.
At the news conference, police hinted the arrest may have occurred as officers conducted an undercover operation in the neighbourhood.
“We had women in our organization who put themselves at risk, knowing they could also be the victim of an assault,” Blair said.
He would not say whether the victim in Saturday night’s assault was a female police officer, and he would not explain why police were present when the final incident occurred.
Sixteen victims notified of arrest
Police said 16 victims were notified of the arrest.
The sexual assaults occurred between Aug. 16 and Saturday night in an area bordered by Barton Avenue to the north, College Street to the south, Ossington Avenue to the west and Palmerston Avenue to the east.
In each incident, a male suspect approached a woman from behind and sexually assaulted her as she walked at night.
Police are facing criticism for not making an arrest sooner, but Blair said police took the matter seriously by assigning "a large number" of officers to the investigation.
"People have been working around the clock," Blair said.
Meanwhile, the teen is charged with 14 counts of sexual assault and two counts of criminal harassment. Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits the boy from being identified by the media.
Police waited almost 36 hours to inform the public about the arrest because investigators carried out a search warrant Sunday night and they had to notify the victims before the news conference, said Staff Insp. Mary Lee Metcalfe, who oversees the sex crimes unit.
In response to the incidents, marches and rallies were held by residents in a show of solidarity and in an attempt to bring awareness to the investigation.
CP24 spoke to several women who said they were relieved to learn of the arrest, but will continue to take precautions.
“I think everybody will be relieved if it’s the right guy and we don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Police thank public for assistance
During the news conference, police acknowledged the women who reported the sexual assaults and the residents who participated in events to support them.
Metcalfe said the community expressed confidence and support for police during the investigation.
“It has been a joint and collaborative effort right from the start,” Metcalfe said.
Blair said the arrest wouldn't have been possible without the community's involvement.
Despite charges being laid, police continue to investigate because there may be additional victims, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
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