Police believe sex assaults in Toronto and Collingwood are linked

TORONTO – Two police forces say they believe the same suspect may have been involved in sexual assaults in Toronto and Collingwood, Ont.

Toronto police say a 23-year-old woman was approached from behind, dragged into a laneway and allegedly sexually assaulted early on July 28, 2015.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Provincial police say that early on Jan. 1, 2017, a woman was pulled into a vehicle and allegedly sexually assaulted in Collingwood.

The two forces say investigators have identified a number commonalities in the assaults – the man is known to frequent the Collingwood and Toronto areas, is about five-foot-six, with brown skin, a full beard, of medium build and in his mid-20s to mid-30s.

The Toronto police sex crimes unit and the OPP criminal investigation branch have set up a tip line to assist with the investigation.

Anyone with information about this man is asked to contact the investigating police services at 1-844-478-5656 or OPP.TPS.TipLine@opp.ca.