Toronto police looking for suspect after teenager sexually assaulted on TTC bus

Police are seeking the public's help in the search for a suspect in an investigation where a teenage woman was sexually assaulted aboard a TTC bus last week.

Officers were called to the area of Midland Avenue and Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough on Wednesday, April 5, at approximately 3:20 p.m. for a report of a sexual assault.

The woman boarded the bus in the Pharmacy Avenue and Lawrence East area, and a man later boarded the bus at Lawrence East SRT station. Police allege that the man then sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing the bus in the Markham Road and Lawrence East area.

Police describe the suspect as 5'11", wearing a blue surgical mask, black jacket, grey sweater with a logo on the chest, Nike running shoes, and carrying a black Under Armour backpack.

Investigators have released a photo of the suspect, and urge anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

News Release - Suspect Sought in Sexual Assault Investigation, Midland Avenue/Lawrence Avenue, Images Releasedhttps://t.co/GZTrkCGJBH pic.twitter.com/0tldj6g8Vb

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) April 11, 2023

The attack comes amid a surge in violent incidents aboard the TTC, a pattern that has riders fearing for their safety, and a talking point for politicians bidding to take Toronto's top job in the June mayoral by-election.

A few of the high-profile candidates seem aligned on the view that bringing more police to Toronto's transit system would discourage crime, though others still stand firm that the current spike in crime boils down to a worsening mental health crisis.

Rogers' announcement of increased cell service on the TTC's subway network may help to alleviate overall crime figures, but instances like these, aboard surface-level transit, are representative of a greater problem facing the city's public transit system.