Arrest Made in Oshawa Sexual Assault Case
Investigators have arrested a suspect in a sexual assault that occurred near Durham College in Oshawa.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at approximately 1:10 p.m., a male sat beside a female on a bench while she was waiting for a bus near the main entrance to Durham College, located at 2000 Simcoe Street North. The suspect allegedly groped the victim as she was about to board the bus. Following this, the suspect followed the victim onto the bus and attempted to sit with her. The victim managed to sit near the driver for safety before contacting the police.
The suspect was identified and taken into custody on Friday, September 13, 2024. Ved Pratikbhai Patel, age 19 from Oshawa, is charged with sexual assault and criminal harassment. He was released on an Undertaking.
Authorities encourage anyone with cellphone, dashcam, or surveillance footage related to this incident to come forward. They also advise victims of sexual assault or witnesses to such incidents on public transit to call the police immediately, inform the bus driver, and take note of the bus number and suspect’s description.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at their website, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information in this report is based on a police investigation, and the allegations have yet to be proven in court.
