Peel police are seeking a suspect wanted for three sexual assaults that happened this month near bus stops in Brampton.
The suspect presented himself as a rideshare driver in all three incidents and proactively offered the victims a ride, Const. Richard Chin said. None of the victims had called or were expecting a rideshare, he said.
Two of the incidents happened on Nov. 8.
Around 7 a.m., a female victim was waiting for a bus near Countryside Road and Bramalea Road. The suspect approached her and offered her a ride, according to a York police news release.
He drove the victim to an area near Highway 27 and Nashville Road in Vaughan where he sexually assaulted her.
The victim was able to escape and two bystanders assisted her. The suspect then fled the area, York police said.
Peel police believe the same suspect was involved in another incident around 7:40 a.m. An 18-year-old-woman was at a bus stop at Goreride Crescent and Via Romano Way when the suspect approached her, according to a Peel police news release.
He offered the victim a ride in exchange for a cash payment.
The suspect then drove the victim to an area near the Clareville Conservation on Highway 50 and The Gore Broad in Brampton, where he sexually assaulted her.
Latest assault happened on Saturday
On Saturday, a 21-year-old woman was at a bus stop near Airport Road and Humberwest Parkway when the suspect approached her and offered her a ride, according to a Peel police news release.
He drove her to the area near Countryside Drive and Airport Road in Brampton, where he then sexually assaulted her.
Peel police Const. Richard Chin advised people to be careful when accepting rides from strangers. (CBC Toronto)
Peel police say the suspect is a man, between 20 and 25 years old, with short black hair, a short black beard and a medium to muscular build.
The suspect vehicle for the Nov. 8 assaults is a four-door black newer model Hyundai Elantra, Chin said. Police released an image of the vehicle.
He said the suspect may have driven a different vehicle on the Saturday incident, but police believe it is also a four-door sedan.
Chin advised people to be careful when accepting rides from strangers.
“We are very concerned for our victims… this is going to be life-altering and life-changing,” he said.
He said if someone approaches you claiming to work for a rideshare, verify the information before getting in the car.
Chin also advised people taking unsolicited rides with a stranger to inform someone else about their whereabouts, the specific car they are getting into and their anticipated time of arrival.
Police are looking for dash cam footage from the specific locations and times for the three incidents.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact investigators or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.