Man who removed ankle monitor accused in series of North York sex attacks
The accused had been on the run from previous sex assault allegations for more than six months
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A 30-year-old man released by the courts and on the run for six months after being charged in multiple North York sex attacks is now accused of terrorizing more women.
Toronto Police say the latest frightening attacks saw four woman targeted by a stranger in less than nine hours.
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In the first incident, a man entered a female change room at a fitness centre near Yonge St. and Sheppard Ave. E. around 12:20 p.m. on Sunday and sexually assaulted a woman.
The assailant then took off on foot.
Around 2 p.m., on the same day, police say a man began following a woman in the area of Wilson Ave. and Bathurst St., then grabbed the victim and sexually assaulted her.
“A witness in the area interrupted the assault,” police said in a statement released Wednesday, explaining the attacker then ran off.
Just 10 minutes later, police say the same man approached another woman from behind, “grabbed” her and then assaulted her near Lawrence Ave. W. and Bathurst St.
“A witness driving by stopped their vehicle and interrupted the assault,” police said, adding the man once again took off.
Hours later, around 9:10 pm, police say officers responded to a call for a break-and-enter and assault near King St. W. and Dufferin St. where they say the same man followed a woman into her apartment building.
“(The man) forced his way into the victim’s apartment,” police said, adding he then attacked the woman but ran off when a witness “interrupted the assault.”
Investigators released images on Sunday night of a suspect sought for the four incidents hoping members of the public could help identify and locate him.
A suspect with a history of sexual assault allegations was subsequently identified and arrested around 1 a.m. on Monday.
Arnold Edzodzomo, of Toronto, is charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault and one count of breaking-and-entering.
Edzodzomo was charged with sexual assault and criminal harassment when he was arrested on June 12, 2024, for alleged incidents involving two women who were unknown to him.
One woman was followed by a man on the walking trails at Earl Bales Public Park – near Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave. W. – on multiple occasions between April 28 and May 9, 2024.
The man waited for her outside of a public washroom, continued to follow her, and even ran after her several times, police said at the time.
Police alleged the same man followed another woman into a public restroom at the Barbara Frum Public Library – near Bathurst St. and Lawrence Ave. W. – and sexually assaulted her on June 12, 2024.
A staff member at the library came to the woman’s rescue and the man fled the area.
Investigators subsequently identified and arrested a suspect later that day.
However, the accused was released from custody on July 3 under the condition that he wear an ankle monitoring device.
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And the next day, cops issued a news release saying Edzodzomo had removed his ankle bracelet and his last known location was in the area of Lawrence Ave. W. and Allen Rd.
The accused had been wanted since that day, July 4, 2024.
Edzodzomo has not been charged with failing to comply with his court-ordered release conditions. But police say the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-3200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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