Man, 63, allegedly tried to abduct boys from Whitby park

The man is accused of approaching three boys in a men's washroom and inviting them to his vehicle

Chris Doucette
Published Jul 12, 2025  •  Last updated Jul 12, 2025  •  1 minute read
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Bernard Deery, 63, of Whitby, is charged with three counts of abducting a person under fourteen years old and obstructing/resist a peace officer after allegedly trying to lure three boys away from a public restroom in a waterfront park on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Bernard Deery, 63, of Whitby, is charged with three counts of abducting a person under fourteen years old and obstructing/resist a peace officer after allegedly trying to lure three boys away from a public restroom in a waterfront park on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Photo by Handout /Durham Regional Police

A 63-year-old man is accused of trying to abduct three boys under 14 from a men’s restroom in a park on Whitby’s waterfront on Wednesday.

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Durham Regional Police say officers responded to Heydenshore Kiwanis Park – on Water St. near the south end of Brock St. – after three boys allegedly had “a suspicious interaction” with a man in a public washroom.

The boys were allegedly approached by a man who invited them to his vehicle, Const. Emily Mitchell said in a statement released Saturday.

She said the kids “reported the incident to their parents” who then notified police.

The man fled in his vehicle before officers arrived at the park but Mitchell said a suspect was located a short distance away and taken into custody.

Bernard Deery, of Whitby, is charged with three counts of abducting a person under fourteen years old and obstructing/resist a peace officer.

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The accused was held for a bail hearing.

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Investigators have released a photo of the accused because they are concerned about the possibility of other alleged victims.

Police are urging anyone who had an interaction with this man to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can call police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1877, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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