Waterloo regional police arrest ‘suspicious male’ believed to be connected to multiple harassments, assaults

Waterloo regional police say they have made an arrest in connection to multiple reports of a 'suspicious' man approaching woman on and around public transit in Kitchener.

On Wednesday, police said a 45-year-old Kitchener man had been arrested.

Over the last week, police have issued several new releases saying women have come forward to report a “suspicious” man approaching them on or near public transit areas.

In total, Waterloo regional police were investigating five incidents involving a man approaching women.

Between March 28 and March 31, police said officers received three reports of a man appearing to target female riders on public transit.

In one incident, police said the man boarded the bus at the same stop as a female passenger. When the bus arrived at Fairview Park Mall, the female exited the bus, and the male followed.

The man then attempted to converse with the female and grabbed her to continue the interaction, police said.

Days later, police said another woman came forward to report she was walking to a bus stop in the area of Pioneer Drive and Old Carriage Drive when an unknown male followed her and engaged her in conversation.

According to police, the man then made physical contact with the victim, sexually assaulting her.

On Monday, police said the fifth report of a suspicious man approaching a woman had been received.

Police said just after 8 p.m. on Monday, a man approached a woman in front of her home and engaged her in conversation.

“The suspect attempted to make physical contact with the victim but was unsuccessful,” police said. “The suspect was observed fleeing the area on foot towards Kingsway Drive.”

The 45-year-old man has been charged with the following:

• Criminal harassment (three counts)
• Sexual assault (two counts)
• Assault

WOMEN’S CRISIS SERVICES RESPONDS

The CEO of Women's Crisis Services, Jennifer Hutton said she’s seen an increase in the number of women reporting assaults on public transit.

"It’s terrible that we still have to think about this and that we're actually seeing this increase opposed to decrease,” she said. "This is a systems issue. This is a social issue that has been long standing that there's been a history if violence against women. There's more awareness of it but we just haven't seen shifts in that.”

Hutton said more action is needed to improve safety on transit systems.
 

PASSENGER SAFETY QUESTIONED

Amanda Dasouza uses public transit daily. She told CTV she is rethinking her travel plans after recent reports of assaults and harassing behaviour.

“It definitely raises alarm bells and I mean especially for women, women students, I find we are always targeted,” said Dasouza.

“You hear about it but you don’t think it’s going to be actively affecting you and it’s concerning. It is scary, the rise that all of the rates are going to and there’s not really a lot being done,” said another transit user.

 When asked about the recent increase of concerning incidents happening on public transit, a spokesperson for GRT sent the following statement to CTV News via email: “Grand River Transit is committed to providing a safe riding environment for our passengers and operators. Passengers should notify bus or train operators of any safety concerns observed while riding with us.”

SEPARATE INCIDENTS

Regional police arrested two youth on Wednesday in connection to two separate weapons incidents on public transit in Kitchener.

According to a media release issued by the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), the youth were seen firing a cap gun at passengers and operators of a Grand River Transit bus some time between 12:45 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Both youth were arrested and charged with Common Nuisance.

On Tuesday, according to police, a male got onto a bus in the area of Seagram Drive and University Avenue West around 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, yelled racial slurs at passengers, and brandished an edged weapon.

Waterloo regional police released an image of a person they’re looking to speak to.