CRIME SCENE: Woman, 27, found slain in downtown house fire

Published Aug 31, 2024  •  5 minute read

Jessica Perez Ocampo, 27, of Toronto, was found slain inside of a home that went up in flames on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police

Investigators have released a photo of a 27-year-old woman found slain inside of a downtown home that went up in flames last week.

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Toronto Police say the fire erupted in the house near College St. and Dovercourt Rd. just after 12 p.m. on Wednesday.

A man and a woman, who lived in the house together, were pulled from the burning home by firefighters.

The woman was found with “trauma to her body” and was pronounced deceased at the scene, police have said.

And the man was rushed to hospital where he was later died.

Homicide subsequently identified the dead woman – the city’s 55th murder victim of the year – as Jessica Perez Ocampo, of Toronto.

The dead man was identified Roberto Mendez, 27, of Toronto.

Anyone with information regarding this murder is urged to call the Homicide unit at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers  at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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CYCLIST DIES A WEEK AFTER HIT BY CAR IN ETOBICOKE

A 26-year-old woman has died one week after she was hit by a car while cycling in Etobicoke.

Toronto Police say the collision occurred near Kipling Ave. and Burnhamthorpe Rd. just after 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 24.

The woman was riding her bike west on Burnhamthorpe Rd., just east of the intersection, when she was struck by a westbound 2019 Volkswagen Jetta driven by a 28-year-old man, police say.

The cyclist was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Police say she died in hospital on Saturday.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this fatality is urged to call Traffic Services at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Toronto Police are seeking to identify a suspect for an alleged sexual assault on a TTC streetcar on Aug. 23, 2024. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police

UNIDENTIFIED MAN WANTED FOR MULTIPLE TTC SEX ASSAULTS

Investigators need help identifying a man who is sought for allegedly sexually assaulting TTC passengers on multiple occasions.

Toronto Police say the most recent incident allegedly occurred near Ossington Ave. and Dundas St. W. around 7 p.m. on Aug. 23.

A man approached the victim on the street car, “exposed himself and sexually assaulted the victim, then fled the area, police said in a statement released Saturday, adding the victim did not know the man.

Police believe the same man sexually assaulted another person on a TTC Subway in the area of Queen St. W. and University Ave. just after 10 a.m. on Aug. 6.

It’s also believed the same man exposed himself to another victim onboard a TTC subway on July 12.

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Investigators have now released security camera images of a suspect hoping members of the public will recognize him and come forward.

The suspect is described as six-feet-tall, with a medium build, short hair and a black beard.

He was wearing a black, long-sleeve shirt, dark blue jeans and a black baseball cap. He was also carrying a backpack.

Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is urged to call police at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Maseehullah Stanikzai, 35, of Toronto, is accused of committing an indecent act and uttering threats at an outdoor pool in High Park on Friday, August 30, 2024. Photo by Handout /Toronto Police

MAN, 35, ACCUSED OF INDECENT ACT AT HIGH PARK POOL

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in an indecent act investigation.

On Friday, August 30, 2024, at 4:20 p.m., police responded to a call for an indecent exposure at the High Park pool, located near High Park Ave. and Bloor St. W.

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It is alleged that the accused was showering in a family shower area

the victim observed the accused committing an indecent act

the accused threatened another victim who heard the commotion

officers attended and arrested the accused at the scene

Maseehullah Stanikzai, 35, of Toronto, is charged with committing an indecent act and uttering threats

Investigators are concerned about the possibility of other alleged victims, so they have released a photo of the accused.

They are also looking for witnesses who left the area prior to police arrival.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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PEDESTRIAN HIT BY VEHICLE AND KILLED ON HWY. 410 IN BRAMPTON

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The province’s police watchdog has been called in to investigate after a woman was hit by a vehicle and killed Saturday morning on a busy highway in Brampton

Ontario Provincial Police say the pedestrian was struck in the southbound  lanes of Hwy. 410 at Steeles Ave. E. around 7:40 a.m.

A message posted on X by Peel Regional Police confirmed the woman was pronounced dead at the scene and that Ontario’s Special Investigations unit “has invoked its mandate.”

But there was no immediate word on why the SIU, which investigates any serious injury or death involving police, was called in.

Peel cops said the investigation ongoing.

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SHOOTING VICTIM SHOWS UP AT TORONTO HOSPITAL

A male walked into a hospital in the city’s west end suffering from a gunshot wound Saturday afternoon.

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Toronto Police the shooting victim showed up at the hospital near Jane St. and Eglinton Ave. W. around 3 p.m.

The male was reportedly quickly transferred to a trauma centre in serious condition.

But his injury is not considered life-threatening.

It’s unclear where the shooting unfolded and no further details were immediately released.

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ROLL OVER

A motorist is accused of impaired driving after a vehicle rollover that injured two people Saturday morning in Etobicoke.

Toronto Police say officers responded to the area of Dixon Rd. and Hwy. 27 for a vehicle rollover around 4:30 a.m.

Emergency crews had to extricate the driver and a passenger.

Both the driver and passenger were taken to hospital but their injuries were not considered life-threatening.

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A driver was subsequently arrested for impaired driving, police said.

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COPS HURT

Two cops were injured while arresting a suspected impaired driver in the city’s west end Friday night.

Toronto Police say the officers responded to the area of Rogers Rd. and Regent St. – east of Keele St. – around 9:40 p.m. after a motorist crashed into a parked vehicle.

It’s alleged the diver, a man whose name was not immediately released, then assaulted another man at the scene.

Police say two officers were injured while arresting the allegedly impaired man, but their injuries were not life-threatening.

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