Police say a woman was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted after she met a man to purchase a cat he was selling on Kijiji.
According to police, a 26-year-old woman answered an online ad posted by a man who was looking to sell his cat.
Investigators said the woman agreed to meet the seller in the area of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue on May 26.
When she arrived at the man's home, police said she agreed to purchase the cat and proceeded to have some food and drinks with him.
“It is believed that in the food she was given there was some sort of drug or noxious substance,” Toronto police Const. David Hopkinson said.
“We don’t know what the drug is.”
Police allege that the woman began to feel unwell and was led to the seller's bedroom, where she was sexually assaulted.
In a statement provided to CP24 Sunday afternoon, a representative with Kijiji said that the company was saddened to hear about the “disturbing case.”
“The safety and security of our users is paramount,” Shawn McIntyre, manager of community relations and communication, said.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe online community for users to engage in commerce and trading locally, and we will work with local and international law enforcement agencies to do so.”
Police said they are concerned that there may be other victims.
“We want to advise people to be very cautious when they are going out to purchase things, especially in Kijiji ads. We’ve had a number of people go to buy different things… and had unfortunate incidents,” Hopkinson said.
On May 27, police said 52-year-old Ghenadie Carpov, of Toronto, was arrested in connection with the incident. He has been charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
