Two girls charged in three suspected hate-motivated assaults
· Toronto Sun
Toronto Police have charged two young girls, aged 12 and 14, with three assaults that are suspected to be hate-motivated against the East Asian community.
The alleged attacks happened in the areas of King St. and George St., King St. East and Sherbourne St., and Wellesley Station, respectively, all on Feb. 20.
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Police say around 5:58 p.m., the first victim was walking on the sidewalk in the King St. East and George St. area when she was kicked from behind.
When the victim turned around, she allegedly saw the two accused running away.
The second alleged victim was walking on the sidewalk in the King St. East and Sherbourne St. area at around 6 p.m. when they were allegedly assaulted from behind and had racial slurs directed at them, before the two accused fled the area.
The third alleged victim was exiting a northbound train at Wellesley Station at around 9:16 p.m. when they were allegedly struck in the head while travelling up an escalator. The two accused allegedly fled the station.
These assaults are being investigated as anti-East Asian hate crimes.
On Monday, a female youth, 14, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault. On Wednesday, a female youth, 12, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with three counts of assault.
Neither of the accused can be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police are concerned there may be more victims.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com .
Home explosion in Oshawa
Durham Police are searching for info related to a house explosion in Oshawa this past Saturday.
At about 10:05 p.m. on Feb. 21, officers responded to assist in a fire at a residence in the area of Gibbons St. and Annapolis Ave. after multiple reports of a home explosion were received.
They arrived on the scene to find the home fully engulfed in flames. Officers assisted with traffic control while Oshawa Fire Services put out the fire.
There were no reported injuries.
Anyone with cellphone, dashcam or surveillance footage, or any information about this incident, is asked to contact Det. Const. Park of the Central East Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2769.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca