Toronto police issue notice as high-risk offender released from prison

WATCH ABOVE: Toronto police say 34-year-old Simon William Gares threatened to harm elementary school children and believe he may reoffend. Lama Nicolas reports.

TORONTO — Officials have issued a community safety notification as a high-risk offender with “potential to violently reoffend” has been released from prison.

Simon William Gares, 34, will be residing in Toronto upon his release.

Gares, of no fixed address, has been in prison for the last two years. He was convicted on two charges of threatening death, theft, assault with intent to resist arrest and for failing to comply with probation.

Police said during their investigation Gares made “non-specific threats related to the safety of children attending elementary schools.”

“Toronto police don’t often take such steps to warn the public,” Const. Victor Kwong told Global News. “But we have enough belief that he is a threat to public safety.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Toronto police don't often take such steps to warn the public," Const. Victor Kwong told Global News. "But we have enough belief that he is a threat to public safety."

Letters to parents from about two dozen public schools in the Leaside area, where Gares used to live, are being sent home. The Catholic school board is also alerting its schools.

“We got an email Friday to explain to us that he’s going to be released, and follow procedure to make sure kids are safe,” said Sarah Reid, a parent in the area.

Gares probation has a number of conditions including to not use or be in possession of drugs or alcohol, to not posses weapons, and to not be within 500 metres of the Bayview Avenue and Moore Avenue area.

With files from Lama Nicolas