Watch above: Two people charged in a string of sexual assaults in Etobicoke. Marianne Dimain reports.
TORONTO – A male suspect and his wife are facing more than 100 charges combined related to a series of sexual assaults and break-ins in Toronto over a three-year period.
Toronto police say the alleged incidents took place between August 2011 and August 2014 in Etobicoke with a total of 59 occurrences.
Anieph Fitzroy Burton, 32, faces 95 charges including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, break-and-enter, theft of a motor vehicle, and mischief.
His wife, Jehanneiry Beaton, 31, faces seven charges of break-and-enter and break-and-enter with intent.
During a press conference Friday, Sex Crimes Unit Inspector Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said the incidents involved the male suspect allegedly entering the victims’ homes while they were sleeping, on several occasions sexually assaulting them, and stealing property such as electronics, cell phones, laptops and jewelry.
“When someone actually enters your home where you feel safe, especially at night when you’re sleeping and you’re awoken to a predator like this, I’d say it’s one of the most heinous crimes,” said Insp. Beaven-Desjardins.
In one case, police say Burton stole a vehicle which was then used in another break-and-enter on the same day.
“I would not say that it was any specific victim target. Any of the sexual assaults, the ages range dramatically. It was perhaps sometimes a crime of opportunity,” Insp. Beaven-Desjardins said.
Police say the arrests were made through painstaking efforts by the investigators involved in the case.
“Just because it happened years ago, it doesn’t mean we stop investigating,” said Insp. Beaven-Desjardins.
“Yes, it was frustrating and challenging. There were points where he allegedly hit in clusters and would stop.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing as there could be more victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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