Police make arrest after five reports near McCowan and Steeles
York Regional Police arrested a 37-year-old Toronto man on Aug. 20 in connection with a string of alleged indecent acts in Markham, following reports spanning two months in the busy McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue East corridor.
Investigators say officers attended to five separate incidents between June 9 and Aug. 14 in which women reported being approached by a man who exposed himself. Police made the arrest during proactive patrols in the area and have charged the suspect, identified as Chong Chen, with multiple counts.
Charges and the investigation
Police have laid a combination of charges related to the incidents. The Crown will determine how the charges proceed through the courts, and York Regional Police have said they believe there could be additional victims.
| Alleged offences | Number of counts |
|---|---|
| Indecent act | 6 |
| Criminal harassment | 2 |
| Prowling at night | 1 |
Police appeal to the community
Investigators have released the suspect’s photo and are asking anyone who was in the vicinity of McCowan and Steeles during the dates in question — or anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour — to contact York Regional Police. Community reporting can help identify additional victims or corroborate details.
Police ask: if you were in the area at the time of the incidents, witnessed any suspicious activity, or have information that may assist the investigation, please contact investigators.
Local context and public safety concerns
The intersection of McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue East sits on the border between urban and suburban Markham, where a mix of commercial strips, transit routes and residential pockets bring consistent pedestrian traffic. Incidents of indecent exposure can have an outsized impact on local perceptions of safety, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups who use sidewalks, bus stops and commercial plazas in the area.
From a policing perspective, proactive foot and vehicle patrols — the tactic credited with the Aug. 20 arrest — are commonly used in areas where repeated reports suggest a pattern. Those patrols aim to both deter further incidents and increase the chance of immediate apprehension if an offender returns.
What victims and witnesses should do
Police encourage anyone with information to come forward. If you were affected by any of these incidents, reporting to York Regional Police is a key step for preserving evidence and ensuring appropriate charges are laid. Local support services and legal advice are available to those seeking guidance on next steps.
- Report any incidents to York Regional Police to help investigators.
- Preserve any evidence where safe to do so, and note timing and location details.
- Reach out for local victim support services if needed.
The investigation remains active. York Regional Police have asked anyone with relevant information to contact their non-emergency line or the investigative unit handling the case. As this story develops, further updates will clarify court timelines and any additional charges.
