Toronto police release image of man allegedly seen taking photos of students at east-end school
Toronto police have released a photo of a man suspected of taking pictures of students at an east-end elementary school and trying to lure them into his car.
Police said they received a call for a suspicious incident on Tuesday at Bowmore Road Jr. Public School, located south of Gerrard Street East and east of Coxwell Avenue.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
At around 1 p.m., three students were in the school yard for gym class when they saw a man across the street standing next to a vehicle with its door open, police said.
"The man was observed to be waving towards students in the school yard," they said, adding that he "appeared to be motioning towards the open car door."
Police said the man, who later left in a black, four-door sedan, might have also taken photos using his phone.
The make and the model of the vehicle are unknown. Police said the car was last observed heading east on Gerrard Street.
On Thursday, police issued a news release with a photo of the suspect in an effort to identify him. He is described as six feet tall with a heavy build, black hair, and a black beard.
The suspect was last seen wearing a black jacket or sweater and black pants.
They are asking anyone who can identify the suspect to contact them at 416-808-5500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.222tips.com.
The school sent a letter to parents and guardians later that Tuesday informing them about the incident.
"A group of students reported the man to the office, and police were immediately called to investigate this incident," Principal Heather Groves wrote.
"The safety of our students remains our top priority at Bowmore Road. School staff regularly speak to students about how to stay safe. I want to emphasize to students, staff, and parents/guardians the importance of awareness even in our everyday routines."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.