Man with cerebral palsy attacked in downtown Toronto store

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Man with cerebral palsy recounts being attacked and restrained at downtown drug store | CBC News
Toronto police release image of suspect wanted in connection with April incident
Sep 07, 2018

"Colin Phillips, just outside the drugstore where he says a man assaulted him for 25 minutes, holding him down in his wheelchair. (Paul Borkwood/CBC News)
Colin Phillips says what started with a man trying to shake his hand at a downtown drugstore turned into a frightening assault where he was held down in his wheelchair for almost half an hour.

Phillips, who has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal, described the April incident to CBC Toronto by tapping on a screen attached to his wheelchair, with his friend, Jared Scratch, translating.

"I shook his hand and he did not let go," Phillips said.

"Then, standing right beside Phillips, the man grabbed both of his arms and restrained him for about 25 minutes. Phillips said he yelled out, as best he could, but nobody stepped in to help.

Toronto police are still looking for a suspect in connection with the alleged attack, and just re-released an image of the man."
But then, as Phillips crossed a busy downtown street, he said the man followed him and started yanking on his wheelchair. Only then did someone step in and question the man, allowing Phillips to make it to Scratch's condo half-a-block-away."

 

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Man in wheelchair assaulted at downtown Shoppers Drug Mart
Man in wheelchair assaulted at downtown Shoppers Drug Mart

A suspect wanted in connection with a downtown assault is seen. (Toronto police handout)
"A witness who intervened told officers that the suspect claimed to be the victim’s caregiver.

Investigators said the man and the suspect did not know each other.

The victim was able to escape but was then followed southbound on Yonge Street. Police said the suspect allegedly attempted to grab the victim’s wheelchair several times while chasing him.

Investigators have released a surveillance camera image of the suspect wanted in connection with this incident in an effort to identify him.

The suspect has been described by officers as a five-foot-nine to five-foot-10 male between the ages of 45 and 50 with a heavy build, an olive complexion and brown hair. He was wearing a dark-coloured hooded sweatshirt with “EllisDon” written on the front, police said.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact investigators at 416-808-5100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477)."