Durham Regional Police have charged a 63-year-old Pickering man with 22 offences after an investigation into alleged sexual assaults involving two female children who lived in Pickering and Toronto.
Allegations, charges and arrest
Police say the investigation began in July 2026 after reports that the suspect had sexually assaulted the two children. Investigators allege the incidents took place on multiple occasions between November 2025 and July 2026, at times when the accused attended the victims' homes.
Durham Regional Police identified the accused as Faruk Dewan, 63, of Pickering. He faces 11 counts of sexual assault and 11 counts of sexual interference with a person under 16, a total of 22 charges. Police say he was located and arrested in Ajax in August without incident and was held for a bail hearing.
Police say the allegations have not been proven in court and anyone with information is asked to contact investigators.
Community connections and concerns
Investigators said Dewan was known to both victims' families and that he provided art lessons from a residence in Pickering. Because of those links, police have expressed concern that there may be additional victims and have released the suspect's image as part of their public appeal.
The presence of an alleged offender who worked from a private residence has prompted questions among neighbours and parents in Pickering about oversight and safeguards when adults run lessons or programs from their homes. Community agencies and policing units routinely advise parents to verify credentials and to check references when arranging out-of-school activities; however, Durham police emphasised the need for anyone with information about these alleged incidents to come forward so investigators can establish the full scope of the matter.
How police are asking the public to help
Durham Regional Police said they are encouraging anyone with information to contact the force. The legal reporting in one account also names Detective Constable Gomez of the Special Victims Unit as a point of contact. Residents who prefer to stay anonymous are being directed to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
- Suspect: Faruk Dewan, 63, of Pickering
- Charges: 11 counts sexual assault; 11 counts sexual interference with a person under 16
- Alleged period: November 2025 to July 2026
- Arrest: Located and arrested in Ajax in August
- Location of alleged offences: Homes in Pickering and Toronto
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of charges | 22 (11 sexual assault, 11 sexual interference) |
| Alleged timeframe | November 2025 – July 2026 |
| Arrest location | Ajax |
Local impact and next steps
The allegations, if proven in court, would represent a serious breach of trust in neighbourhood networks where adults are known to families and provide services such as lessons from their homes. For many Pickering residents — a city that blends dense suburban neighbourhoods with pockets of more rural property — such cases can heighten concern about safety, particularly when children's extracurricular activities are held outside institutional settings.
At this stage the charges remain allegations. The accused was in custody pending a bail hearing and the matter will proceed through the criminal justice system. Durham investigators have urged anyone with relevant information, or anyone who believes they may be a victim, to contact police. Anonymous tips can be provided through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor court filings and police updates and will report further information as it becomes available.
