TORONTO, August 7, 2026 – Toronto police are looking for a man alleged to be connected to a sexual assault investigation near Steeles Avenue East and Warden Avenue. Police released new surveillance images and an updated suspect description on the afternoon of August 5, asking the public for help identifying him.
According to information released by the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit, the incident occurred at about 2:46 a.m. on Saturday, August 1. Police responded to the area of Steeles Avenue East and Warden Avenue to investigate.
Police said the victim was walking in a laneway when an unknown man approached from behind and allegedly sexually assaulted the victim. The man then left the scene and fled toward Warden Avenue. Police did not release the victim’s name, age or other identifying information in the latest update.
The case was first released to the public on August 3. Two days later, investigators obtained clearer surveillance images and issued an updated notice on August 5, hoping the suspect’s appearance and clothing would generate new leads.
The latest police description says the suspect is a man between about 20 and 30 years old, approximately five feet eight inches tall, with short black hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a white T-shirt and shorts, a red baseball cap, running shoes and a blue medical mask. The surveillance images released by police show the man at nearby locations.
Steeles Avenue East and Warden Avenue is located near the Toronto-Markham boundary, an area with many businesses and residential neighbourhoods. Since the incident occurred close to 3 a.m., police are releasing the surveillance images mainly in the hope that people who were nearby, drove through the area or have relevant security footage may provide information.
Police have not announced any arrest, and the suspect’s name has not been released. In other words, the man shown in the images is a person police are seeking to identify in connection with the investigation, not someone who has been found guilty by a court.
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man, has information about the case or may have relevant video footage to contact the Toronto Police Service Sex Crimes Unit at 416-808-7474. Residents who wish to provide information anonymously can also contact Crime Stoppers.
Police also remind the public that victims of sexual assault can report to police at any time. Investigators said releasing the suspect images is intended both to advance the current investigation and to determine whether there may be any other information connected to the same man.
As of the August 5 police update, the suspect had not been identified, and the investigation remained ongoing.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
