CRIME SCENE: Man sought on Canada-wide warrant in fatal Pickering fire probe
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A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 34-year-old man after a fatal fire in Pickering last month was ruled a homicide.
Durham Regional Police responded on June 11 at 2:20 p.m. to a house fire in the Primrose Ct.-Fairport Rd. area.
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A 69-year-old woman was found dead inside the home.
In June, Sandra Coutinho, 34, of Pickering, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to murder. She was held for a bail hearing.
Police said at the time that an additional suspect has been identified but did not release details on that person.
The victim’s name and cause of death also were not released.
Following a post-mortem, Durham Regional Police’s homicide unit took over the investigation.
This is Durham’s third homicide of 2025.
Cops said on Saturday that Elston Coutinho is wanted for second-degree murder.
Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to public safety.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5421, or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
COPS SEEK SUSPECT IN DOWNTOWN SEX ASSAULT
Cops are looking for a suspect accused of sexually assaulting someone in a downtown public washroom last month.
Toronto Police said officers responded on June 24 at about 8 p.m. to a call for a sexual assault in the Bay and Temperance Sts. area.
It’s reported that at about 2:50 p.m. that day, the suspect approached the victim in a washroom, sexually assaulted the victim and left the washroom in an unknown direction.
The suspect is described as being in his 40s, standing 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds. He had styled black hair with shaved sides and a black goatee with a beard. He was last seen wearing glasses, a grey suit, white dress shirt, a dark-coloured belt and dark-coloured shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
TORONTO WOMAN CHARGED IN HATE-MOTIVATED ASSAULT INVESTIGATION
A 47-year-old Toronto woman has been charged in a hate-motivated assault probe.
Toronto Police said officers attended a radio call for an assault in the Dundas and Bloor Sts. area on March 20, where it’s alleged that the suspect approached the victim unprovoked and struck the victim in the face while yelling anti-Black slurs.
The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival.
On Thursday, Jenny Nunez was arrested and charged with assault and two counts of breach of probation.
This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
TRIO SOUGHT FOR EAST-END ASSAULT AND ROBBERY
Cops are looking for three male suspects after a robbery and assault in the city’s east end.
Toronto Police responded last Friday at 1:04 p.m. to a robbery in the Danforth and Woodbine Aves. area.
It’s reported that the victim was approached by three unknown males while walking to his vehicle.
A physical altercation broke out and police said the victim was struck several times by one of the suspects.
The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
The suspects took the victim’s money before fleeing the scene in two separate vehicles, a black SUV and a silver sedan.
They were last seen heading southbound on East Lynn Ave.
The first suspect is described as Black, standing 5-foot-8 with a thin build and in his 20s. He was wearing all black clothing and possibly has an injured left eye.
The second suspect is Black, standing about 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds. He was wearing all black clothing and a purple face mask.
The third suspect is Hispanic, in his early to mid-20s, standing about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He was wearing all black clothing.
Images of the suspect vehicles have been released.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or a 222tips.com.
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