CRIME SCENE: Dangerous offender on the loose, Toronto Police say

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Toronto Police are asking for the public’s help to locate a high-risk offender with a history of violent sexual offences.

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Police say a man was released from a correctional facility on May 13 with a condition to report to authorities weekly.

Cops allege Walter MacDonald, 59, of Toronto, failed to comply with his release condition by not reporting to police twice this month.

He was not found at his residence either, cops added.

He’s described as 5-foot-10 and 161 pounds with long black and grey hair worn in a ponytail and has a goatee.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or online at 222tips.com.

TWO SOUGHT FOR THEFTS FROM ATMS

Toronto Police are looking for suspects operating in pairs following recent incidents where elderly victims in the Greater Toronto Area were targeted while withdrawing money from automated teller machines.

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Police say the suspects “shoulder surf” victims while they are withdrawing cash at the machines to learn their personal identification number and then distract the victim so that the other suspect can grab the victim’s debit card from the machine and go to another ATM immediately to withdraw funds from the victim’s account.

Police have linked multiple occurrences involving the same male suspects and released photos.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1456, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or online at 222tips.com.

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PROTESTERS ARRESTED AT DOWNTOWN DEMONSTRATION

Two women and one man have been charged following a pair of Wednesday night protests during which two police officers were injured.

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Toronto Police say demonstrators were in the Yonge and Front Sts. area around 6 p.m. Wednesday protesting an event being held at Meridian Hall.

The group attempted to gain entry into the event and were removed by officers, cops allege, and a woman became combative and assaulted an officer.

Police said demonstrators then attended Toronto Police’s 51 Division at Parliament and Front Sts. and proceeded to become combative. One suspect allegedly assaulted an officer.

Another demonstrator is accused of throwing a water bottle at an officer and striking the cop in the face.

Kerry Gauer, 45, and Laura Favacho, 27, both of Toronto, have each been charged with assault peace officer.

Adham Diabas, 25, of Brampton, has been charged with assault with a weapon and assault a peace officer.

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COPS INVESTIGATING BROKEN WINDOW AT EAST END SYNAGOGUE

Toronto Police say they have launched a mischief investigation Thursday after a window was broken at an east end synagogue.

Police said officers responded to a call around 12:15 p.m. for a suspicious incident in the Queen St. E. and Kenilworth Ave area, east of Woodbine Ave.

According to police, construction employees working in the neighbourhood noticed damage to a window of the Beach Hebrew Institute.

When officers arrived, they noticed a hole in a stained glass window of the building.

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Police say the source of the damage is currently being investigated by officers from 55 Division and Forensic Identification Services. The Hate Crime Unit has been notified, cops added.

Residents can expect an increased police presence in the area, police say.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or online at 222tips.com.

— Toronto Sun staff

3 BRAMPTON BOYS ACCUSED OF CARJACKING

Three 16-year-old-boys from Brampton have been charged following an armed carjacking where a luxury vehicle was targeted.

Peel Regional Police said the victim was leaving his vehicle at a residence near Cottrelle Blvd. and McVean Dr. just before 6 p.m. Wednesday when two mask-wearing suspects, one armed with a weapon, allegedly approached and demanded his keys and the vehicle.

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Police said the victim turned over both and the suspects fled in his car while a third suspect, operating a stolen vehicle from Toronto used to facilitate the robbery, also fled.

According to police, the victim did not sustain any physical injuries as a result of the robbery.

Officers found the luxury vehicle a short distance away with two suspects inside. Following a motor vehicle collision, both suspects attempted to escape on foot but were arrested.

Police said the third suspect was arrested Thursday, who was caught operating the stolen getaway car.

Two of the three have been charged with robbery, disguise with intent and possession of stolen property while the third has been charged with robbery and possession of stolen property.

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Police added the investigation remains ongoing and they anticipate more charges could be laid.

SUSPECT SOUGHT IN MARKHAM SEXUAL ASSAULT

A suspect is being sought following a sexual assault in Markham last month.

York Regional Police said a female victim was on a transit bus on Steeles Ave. after midnight on Aug. 12 when she noticed a man sitting at the front of the bus, holding a cellphone that was pointed in her direction.

According to police, the victim exited the bus at Shadlock St. and the suspect exited and followed the victim.

Police allege the suspect attempted to engage the victim in conversation when he touched her in a sexual manner. As the victim pushed the suspect away, he then exposed his genitals.

Cops say the victim was able to take a picture of the suspect who was last seen fleeing eastbound toward Markham Rd.

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The suspect is described as Middle Eastern, 25 to 35 years old, about 5-foot-11 with a medium build and a black beard. He was wearing a yellow jacket with a dark front panel, black pants, and grey and white sneakers while carrying a case of bottled water.

Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at 1800222tips.com.

— Toronto Sun staff

3 MALES SOUGHT FOR OSHAWA ASSAULT

Three male suspects are being sought by police following an assault in Oshawa last month.

Durham Regional Police said officer responded to an assault call around 3 a.m. on Aug. 10 in the area of Simcoe St. S. and John St. E.

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According to police, three males approached a group of individuals in an assaultive manner and a dispute occurred resulting in the three suspects physically assaulting a male and female. The suspects fled the area before police arrived.

The victims sustained serious injuries and were treated at the scene, police said.

The three suspects are described as white and approximately 16 to 20 years old.

The first suspect is approximately 5-foot-8 with a slim build and shoulder length brown hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

The second suspect is approximately 5-foot-10 with a medium build and shoulder length brown hair. He was wearing a black hooded sweater and blue jeans.

The third suspect is approximately 5-foot-10 with a slim build and brown hair. He was wearing a red t-shirt and black jeans.

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Anyone with cellphone, dashcam, surveillance footage, or information about this incident is asked to contact police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3011.

— Toronto Sun staff

CHARGES IN HAMILTON ATM BREAK-INS

Hamilton Police have charged a 24-year-old Welland man following recent thefts from automated teller machines at gas stations and nearby municipalities.

Police said a coordinated investigation also involved forces in Niagara, Halton and Brantford, along with the Ontario Provincial Police.

The investigation led to charges being laid against Justin Hicks last week in Hamilton.

Hicks faces 34 charges, including nine counts of failing to comply with probation.

Police said officers executed three search warrants that led to the recovery of numerous stolen items from local businesses. Cops also located five stolen vehicles, including three pickup trucks and two high-end automobiles.

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Authorities anticipate additional charges.

ARSON SUSPECT WANTED IN HAMILTON

Hamilton Police are seeking the public’s help to identify a male suspect following an early morning house fire near Tim Hortons Field last month.

Cops say a suspect was captured on surveillance footage lighting multiple items on fire on the front porch of a home shortly before 6 a.m. on Aug. 23 while the resident was asleep inside. The suspect then walked away in a southbound direction.

The suspect is described as a male with a slender build with a possible sleeve tattoo on the right arm. He was wearing a black baseball cap, dark mask, blue coat with a white emblem, white zippered blue jeans with rips in the front, white shoes and carrying a backpack with the initials “KD” on the right side.

Hamilton Police are urging anyone with information to contact Det. Greg Blunsdon at (905) 540-5085 or via email at gblunsdon@hamiltonpolice.ca.

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