Update: Suspect in custody – Kingston Police investigating series of sexual assault, harassment incidents
Update:
Within half an hour of issuing a press release regarding a male suspect aggressively approaching and touching females in the downtown core (see below), Kingston Police reportedly have that suspect in custody.
“The Kingston Police have made an arrest in relation to these incidents and the male suspect is in custody,” Constable Anthony Colangeli, a Media Relations Officer for Kingston Police said in an email at 11:06 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The first email from Colangeli, a press release regarding the incidents, was issued at 10:36 a.m.
“There is no threat to public safety,” Kingston Police relayed.
In response to Kingstonist inquiries regarding how the male suspect came to be arrested, Colangeli explained that “Detectives were actively investigating these incidents and through the course of investigation were able to identify the suspect and subsequently locate and arrest him.”
“The accused is a 24-year-old Kingston individual,” he disclosed.
Kingstonist has inquired with Kingston Police as to the charges the accused male is facing. This article will be updated if/when more information becomes available.
Original article:
Police are currently investigating a “series” of sexually based offences involving a male suspect harassing and assaulting female victims in downtown Kingston.
According to a press release from Kingston Police on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, these incidents have occurred over the past two days (Sunday, Nov. 5 and Monday, Nov. 6, 2023) “at various times throughout the day within the city’s downtown core.” Police said these incidents have involved an unknown male approaching females while yelling aggressively and touching them.
In response to Kingstonist inquiries, Constable Anthony Colangeli, a Media Relations Officer with Kingston Police, said that it is fair to describe these incidents as assault, but he did not have further information on how many of these incidents have been reported to police or whereabouts they occurred. Colangeli did say, however, that there have been “multiple incidents throughout the downtown core.”
Police described the suspect in these incidents as being a Caucasian male standing approximately 5’8” to 5’10” (172 to 178 cm) tall with a slim build. He was wearing dark clothing at the time of the incidents, as reported to police, however, Kingston Police stated that they are aware of “other incidents of a similar nature which have occurred in the last two days which have not been reported.” As such, police are requesting that anyone who believes they’ve had an encounter with this male or who has any information in relation to these incidents to contact the Kingston Police Major Crimes Unit by calling 713-549-4660 ext. 0 and requesting to speak with the Major Crimes Unit.
“Police are actively investigating these incidents and want to make the public aware so that they can remain vigilant and, when possible, travel in groups,” Kingston Police said.
Kingstonist has inquired with multiple questions about this case to Kingston Police. This article will be updated if/when more information becomes available.