Toronto police are setting up a sexual-assault task force to hunt down a daytime sexual predator they believe is responsible for five attacks on the sprawling York University campus and two others several kilometres away.
Police now believe one young man is responsible for all of the incidents, which began in late July and have featured escape by mountain bike. He is described as between 17 and 22 years old, clean shaven, 5 feet 5, 140 pounds with short blond hair and an earring in his left ear.
The most serious attack occurred late last month in the southern part of the campus, off a shortcut pathway.
The shortcut is in a field separating a parking lot and an off-campus Finch Avenue West high-rise apartment where many students live.
Last Friday, a 22-year-old woman walking on the path was threatened with a knife, ordered into the bushes and sexually assaulted. She was also robbed. A week earlier, another woman was robbed by a man who attempted to assault her.
All of the incidents occurred between noon and 6 p.m. The earlier attacks involved a man groping women's buttocks and then taking off on a bicycle.
Jennifer Lewin, 29, who is pursuing graduate psychology studies, said that while she confines herself to the northern reaches of the university near Steeles Avenue West, she is nevertheless concerned.
She praised York University security for responding quickly to the threat by posting alerts, reminding students and staff to take precautions, and beefing up their physical presence.
Most recent attacks came away from designated sidewalks.
Security alert at York University
1. July 21, 11:45 a.m.: 3250 Keele St. -- Sexual assault. 2. July 21, 12:30 p.m.: 3310 Keele St. -- Sexual assault. 3. Aug. 5, 4:30 p.m.: York University -- Sexual assault. 4. Aug. 12, 11:05 a.m.: York University -- Sexual assault. 5. Sept. 7, 2:50 p.m.: York University -- Sexual assault. 6. Sept. 22, 4:40 p.m.: York University -- Robbery with a knife, attempted sexual assault. 7. Sept. 29, 5:30 p.m.: York University -- Robbery, Sexual assault with a weapon. Source: Toronto Police Service, York University