Niagara Regional Police say that there was a sexual assault in Mel Swart Lake Gibson Conservation Park in Thorold which they continue to investigate.
The incident happened Wednesday Sept 21, 2022 at approximately 5:30 pm on a walking trail in the park.
Detectives have enlisted the assistance of a forensic artist with the Ontario Provincial Police. The forensic artist has met with the victim and together they have created a composite sketch of the suspect.
The suspect is described as:
- Male
- White
- 5’11” tall
- 200-220lbs (muscular build)
- 30 to 40 years
- Brown eyes
- Tanned complexion with freckles on cheeks
- Light brown short hair and a mustache (clean cut / well groomed)
The suspect was wearing:
- Charcoal grey hooded sweatshirt with an unknown white logo over the left side chest area and white drawstrings in the hood
- Blue jeans
The sexual assault was interrupted when an adult woman and her daughter who were using the trail happened to walk up.
Prior to the interruption, the suspect called the victim the name “Maggie” numerous times. The victim’s name is not Maggie and detectives believe this name may have relevance to the suspect. The adult woman who interrupted the sexual assault has not yet come forward and detectives are urging her to do so.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives by calling 905-688-4111, option #3, extension #1009450.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
