Toronto police are warning parents and guardians to be vigilant of their children’s online activity after a 42-year-old Toronto man was charged with sexual assault. Police say a 14-year-old boy was lured through a social media dating app.
Toronto police said they were notified by the youth’s parents on March 19 that their son had been interacting with a man online which he believed was a boy his own age.
Nude images were sent over the social media platform and the two agreed to meet, police said.
“The male and the victim then met in person and we are alleging the victim was then sexually assaulted on a number of occasions by the male,” Det. Const. Julie MacInnis told reporters during a press conference Thursday morning.
Police said a search warrant was executed on March 24 in the area of Queen’s Quay West and York Street.
Najeeb Saad was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual interference, two counts of sexual assault and luring a child under the age of 16.
Police said their investigation turned up several online profiles with the aliases “AJ S,” “AjSaad123” and “asaad942” over social media apps Grindr, Snapchat and Kik.
Authorities also said Saad was also known to drive a black Range Rover.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and they are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
Meanwhile, investigators are reminding people to practice safe online habits.
“We recommend parents to be vigilant of the child’s online use and activities. They can do things such as know their kids passwords to their devices, to do random checks of their devices,” said MacInnis.
“We believe it’s the communication with your child in fostering a relationship where they feel they can come to you and to remember to reassure them you won’t overreact if they find themself in a similar situation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-8500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
VIDEO: Toronto police urged parents to be more “vigilant” in monitoring their children’s activities online after arrest of man accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old boy he met online.