WHITBY — A 33-year-old Ajax man has been arrested and charged in connection with a violent Whitby park sexual assault that occurred earlier this week, following an investigation by the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS).
According to police, the incident happened at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Monday at Iroquois Beach Park, near Gordon Street and the Waterfront Trail in Whitby.
Investigators say the victim was leaving the park and walking along a sandy pathway leading northwest toward Gordon Street when she was approached by an unknown man. Police allege the suspect forced the woman off the trail into a nearby treed area, where he made threats before sexually assaulting and robbing her.
Following a public appeal for information, members of the DRPS Special Victims Unit identified a suspect with assistance from tips received from the community. Investigators arrested the suspect on Thursday.
Police have identified the accused as Dwayne Horace Daley, 33, of Ajax.
He has been charged with:
- Sexual assault
- Uttering threats
- Robbery
- Four counts of failing to comply with a release order
According to Durham Regional Police, the accused was already subject to house arrest and curfew conditions at the time of the alleged offence. He was taken into custody following his arrest and was held pending a bail hearing.
Investigators have not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, as the matter is now before the courts.
Police continue to encourage anyone who may have information related to the incident to come forward. Detectives are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who was in the area around the time of the assault or who may have captured relevant cellphone, dashcam, or surveillance footage from the vicinity of Iroquois Beach Park, Gordon Street, or the Waterfront Trail.
Durham Regional Police say community assistance played a significant role in identifying the suspect and are continuing to investigate whether any additional evidence may assist the case.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Durham Regional Police Service at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5312.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers, where callers remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if their information leads to further investigative developments.
As with all criminal cases, the charges against the accused have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty according to Canadian law.
