Police have arrested a Toronto man in connection with a sexual assault in June that sent shockwaves throughout the High Park community.
On June 4, at around 10:40 p.m., Toronto Police Service (TPS) responded to a call for a sexual assault at High Park in the Howard Park Avenue and Parkside Drive area.
According to TPS, the call was for a woman who was walking alone on a paved pathway when she was approached by a man from behind, and dragged into an adjacent wooded area where she was sexually assaulted.
The victim escaped and sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police say, but the suspect had fled the area.
On Wednesday, police arrested 35-year-old Cortny Henry of Toronto and laid multiple charges, including Overcoming Resistance by choking, Sexual Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Robbery and Forcible Confinement.
Det. Adrian Pileggi says Henry has a criminal record and was on probation at the time of the assault, also resulting in a charge for failure to Comply with Probation.
Pileggi also says there may be more victims in and out of Toronto, and urges anyone with information to come forward.
“You will be treated with care, respect and confidentiality,” he said at a news conference on Thursday.
Supt. Andrew Ecklund says the suspect was arrested outside of the city, but recognized the impact the assault had on the High Park community.
“I want to acknowledge what a terrible and traumatic incident this was first and foremost to our victim, and also for the wider community,” Ecklund said. “High Park is one of the city’s most cherished public spaces and this assault understandably caused fear and concern to the community.”
Ecklund assured that High Park is safe, and that this type of crime is “very rare” in the neighbourhood. He stresses that TPS is committed to keeping the community safe by taking proactive measures like increased police patrols throughout the summer.
“No one should feel unsafe walking in their own neighbourhood or alone in a public park,” he said.
