Police offer $50,000 reward in Vancouver, Toronto sexual assault cold cases

ABOVE: $50,000 reward offered in 2 historical sexual assault cold cases. Lama Nicolas reports. 

TORONTO – Police in Toronto have announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of a suspect allegedly involved in two separate sexual assault cold cases.

Investigators said DNA evidence has linked the suspect to a 1992 sexual assault in Toronto and a 1985 sexual assault in Vancouver.

“Forensic DNA analysis linked the cases together and has conclusively shown that the same offender is responsible for both crimes,” said Detective Ali Ansari of the Sex Crimes Unit at a media briefing in Toronto on Friday.

It is alleged that on June 10, 1992, at 11:30 p.m., a 21-year-old woman was walking home in the area of Yonge Street and Balliol Street in Toronto when a man followed her into an apartment building and then into an elevator.

At that point, he brandished a handgun, forced her into a stairwell, sexually assaulted her at gunpoint and then fled the scene.

In the Vancouver case, it is alleged that on May 3, 1985, at 2:20 p.m., a 34-year-old woman was walking towards her vehicle in a multi-level parking garage in the West Pender Street area when a man approached, sexually assaulted her in a stairwell and robbed her.

Police have unveiled two composite sketches of the man they believe is the suspect in this case.

“The perpetrator has ties to Toronto and Vancouver,” said Det. Ansari. “If anyone knows such a person who resembles the composite sketch and has a 1985 connection to Vancouver and a 1992 connection to Toronto, I would like to hear from them.”

In 1985, the suspect was described as white male, 25 to 30 years old, 5’ 7” to 5’ 9” in height, with blond, collar-length hair.

In 1992, he was described as a white male 25 to 35 years old, 5’ 4” tall, medium build, 150 to 160 pounds, small round face, with brown or hazel eyes and collar-length, light brown hair.

Police said there could be more unreported cases of sexual assault relating to the suspect and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

“The message to the perpetrator is ‘we’re coming for you, you better be looking over your shoulder’,” said Det. Ansari.

WATCH: (Sept. 27) Detective Ali Ansari from the Toronto Police Sex Crimes Unit briefs the media on a Toronto-Vancouver linked sexual assault cold case.