Pickering art teacher charged with sexual assault; 4 wanted in midtown ‘roofing scam’

Two girls allegedly targeted by accused in their own homes

Published Sep 01, 2026  •  3 minute read

Faruk Dewan, 63, is pictured in a photo provided by Durham Regional Police. Photo by HANDOUT /DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

An art teacher is facing sexual assault charges after two girls were allegedly “inappropriately touched” by him for months, Durham Regional Police said.

Article content

Article content

Cops said their investigation began in July 2026 after receiving a report that the suspect sexually assaulted two female children in their homes.

Police said the accused is known to both victims’ families and had allegedly targeted the victims on numerous occasions between November 2025 and July 2026.

Police said Faruk Dewan, 63, of Pickering, was arrested in Ajax in August and charged with 11 counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under 16.

Police said the accused provides art lessons from a residence in Pickering, and are concerned there may be more victims.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact D/Cst. Gomez of the Special Victims Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5391. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.

Article content

Article content

Toronto Police are looking for four men accused in a fraud and mischief investigation. Photo by Toronto Police /supplied

Four sought in ‘roofing scam’

Toronto Police are asking the public to help identify four men wanted in an alleged “roofing scam” that damaged a home in the city’s Rosedale neighbourhood last month.

Police said sometime between Aug. 10 and Aug. 17, one of the suspects was at the home in the Mount Pleasant Rd. and Elm Ave. area, where he allegedly told the homeowner that he was a “fraud investigator” probing roofing scams in the neighbourhood.

Police said the suspect advised the homeowner that the repairs would be “free” and that the homeowner would receive reimbursement for being a victim of a roofing scam.

Police said the suspect later returned to the address with another suspect and informed the homeowner that they would have to pay for the repairs up front, but the victim declined the offer.

Read More

1. 

   Man sought in alleged hate-motivated assault in waterfront area; suspects sought in Etobicoke arson

2. 

   Man stabbed near Toronto waterfront; suspect sought for attempted murder in Burlington

Article content

Police said days later, the original suspect returned to the home with three other suspects without the homeowner’s knowledge and damaged the roof and the fence of the property.

Police describe the first suspect as male, with a large build, clean-shaven, wearing a grey baseball cap with a light-coloured brim, a white polo T-shirt, dark blue shorts, and grey shoes.

The second suspect is described as male, with a medium build, clean-shaven, medium-length black hair, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants, and black shoes with white soles.

The third suspect is described as male, with a medium build, a brown short side beard, wearing a blue baseball cap with an unknown logo, a blue and white plaid long-sleeved shirt, and blue shorts.

The fourth suspect is described as male, with a slim build, clean-shaven, wearing a grey baseball cap, sunglasses, a dark blue polo T-shirt, and light blue shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.

Article content

Jianji Li, 61, is pictured in this photo supplied by York Regional Police. Photo by York Regional Police /supplied

Acupuncturist charged with sexual assault in Richmond Hill

A Richmond Hill acupuncturist has been charged with sexual assault, York Regional Police said Tuesday.

The victim was allegedly assaulted during an appointment at a location in the Major Mackenzie Dr. E.-Bayview Ave. area on Sunday.

Police said Jianji Li, 61, of Richmond Hill, was arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Investigators are releasing a photo of him as they believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #2 District at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241. Anonymous tips can submited to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by visiting 1800222tips.com.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

Article content