CRIME SCENE: Man sought for indecent acts in Durham Region
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A 27-year-old man has been charged after allegedly exposing himself several times in Durham Region.
Durham Regional Police said officers responded to a sexual offence call in Courtice, near Hartfield Dr. and Varcoe Rd., around 7:50 p.m. on April 16.
A man allegedly exposed himself in a public area to two female youths while making inappropriate comments, then fled the area before officers arrived.
The victims did not suffer any physical injuries, police said.
On Wednesday, around 8:30 p.m., officers responded to a sexual offence call in the Taunton Rd. E.-Ritson Rd. N. area in Oshawa.
Cops said a man matching the description of the man sought for the previous incident allegedly exposed himself in a public area to a woman and her daughter.
Officers located a suspect nearby and took him into custody without incident.
The victims were not physically injured, police said.
Maleke Fines, of no fixed address, is charged with two counts of indecent act and one count of indecent exposure to a person under 16.
Investigators are concerned about the possibility of other alleged victims, so they have released a photo of the accused and are urging anyone with information to call police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1649, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
YORK COPS WARN OF PHONE SCAM
York Region Residents are being asked to be vigilant when answering phone calls after reports of calls from fraudsters claiming to be from York Regional Police.
York Regional Police issued a news release Thursday that referenced recent incidents where fraudsters have contacted victims by phone and identified themselves as police officers. The caller tells the victim to provide a monetary payment, cryptocurrency or financial information to prevent their assets from being seized or frozen.
Police say members of their service don’t make phone calls demanding money or detailed personal information.
And any call or email of this nature should be considered a scam, police warned.
Anyone with concerns about the possibility of being involved in a police or criminal investigation should discuss and confirm this directly with the local police service.
Police said many frauds that happen over the phone involve the use of phone number spoofing, which involves the fraudsters using software programs or other technology to alter the caller ID to display false information.
Suspects can make it appear as though a call is coming from any organization or business. In most cases, police said, callers pose as government agencies, police services, the Canada Revenue Agency and other legal entities.
Residents are encouraged to confirm to whom they are speaking through their own research.
Never trust the information displayed on an incoming call.
Anyone who has fallen victim to fraud or has lost money is asked to report the incident to York Regional Police either online yrp.ca/en/online-reporting/Report-a-Crime.asp or by calling 1-866-876-5423.
To report frauds where no money has been lost, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online or by calling 1-888-495-8501.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULT, ROBBERY
A man is sought after a robbery and assault in Etobicoke.
Toronto Police responded to a robbery call on Tuesday at about 3:10 p.m. in the Dundas St. W.-Kipling Ave. area.
Police allege a man followed the victim and grabbed the victim’s bag before assaulting the victim and taking the bag.
The assailant was last seen eastbound on Dundas St. W. towards Kipling Ave.
The victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The man is described as 20-25 years old, 5-foot-11, with a thin build. He was wearing a blue medical mask, black hooded sweater with white writing on the front and back, black pants, white shoes and a pink backpack with white and black stripes.
Investigators have released and image of a suspect hoping the public can help identify him..
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at 222tips.com.
MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN EAST END
An unidentified man is sought after a sexual assault in the east end on Wednesday.
Toronto Police responded to a sexual assault call at about 4:10 p.m. in the Steeles Ave. E.-McCowan Rd. area.
Police alleged that the victim was walking in Milliken Park when the accused approached her and allegedly sexually assaulted her.
The alleged victim and accused are not known to one another.
The man is described as being 40-50 years old, between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-8 with a medium build, bald and with grey facial hair. He was wearing a light grey/black jacket, a black zip-up sweater, black ‘Adidas’ track pants, grey sandals and white socks.
Images have been released.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
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