Niagara Police investigate reported sex assault of 12-year-old in Thorold

Niagara Regional Police is investigating after a 12-year-old was reportedly sexually assaulted in Thorold on Tuesday (Sept. 7).

According to a press release, St. Catharines uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) were called to the area of Ormond and Lyndon Streets to reports of a sexual assault just before 8 p.m.

Upon arriving on the scene, police learned that a group of children were in the area swimming and walking along a trail near Ormond Street and Dock Road when a man approached the group and reportedly sexually assaulted one of them.

The 12-year-old victim, police said, was not physically injured during the incident.

Police say the suspect then fled on foot and a subsequent search of the area involving the NRPS K9 Unit turned up nothing.

The suspect is described as:

• White male, 40–50-years-old
• Medium build with a ”belly”
• Grey / black “scruffy” facial hair

At the time of the incident, the suspect was wearing:

• Ballcap
• Grey or black shirt
• Baggy jeans

The investigation has been assigned to detectives from the NRPS Child Abuse Unit.

Anyone (residents or businesses) in the area with closed-circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras are asked to review their footage for suspicious activity for the period between 6:45PM and 8:45PM on September 7, 2021.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.