Durham Regional Police have laid criminal charges after an alleged sexual assault in Oshawa involving a meeting arranged through a dating application.
Arrest made after investigation into July incident
Police say the assault was reported on July 16 when a woman told officers she had been sexually assaulted by a man she had met using the dating app BLK. Investigators identified a suspect and arrested him without incident on Aug. 12.
The accused has been identified as Gregory Binns, 27, of Toronto. He faces multiple charges in relation to the incident, including sexual assault, assault by choking and forcible confinement.
| Accused | Age | Alleged offences |
|---|---|---|
| Gregory Binns | 27 | Sexual assault; assault by choking; forcible confinement |
Police urge others who may have had contact to come forward
Investigators working out of Durham Regional Police Service’s East Division Criminal Investigation Branch are encouraging anyone who may have had dealings with Binns, or who has information about the case, to contact them. The request for information is particularly aimed at potential additional victims and witnesses.
Police are concerned there could be more victims and are encouraging anyone who may have had contact with Binns or who has any information relevant to the investigation to come forward and contact investigators.
- To speak directly with investigators, call Detective Constable Cronin at 905-579-1520 ext. 1605.
- To provide anonymous tips, contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
The emergence of an alleged attack that began with an online meeting highlights the risks that can accompany encounters arranged through dating platforms. Police statements do not describe the exact location in Oshawa where the incident occurred or the circumstances of the meeting beyond the use of the BLK app.
For Oshawa residents, the case underscores both the continued reliance on digital apps for dating and the importance of caution when meeting strangers in person. Investigators did not release information about whether the accused and the complainant had exchanged messages on the platform before the meeting, or whether other digital evidence was used to identify the suspect.
Police routinely ask anyone who might have safety information or relevant evidence — including messages, calls, photographs or dash-cam footage — to preserve that material and contact investigators. While the public may feel a heightened concern when incidents involve social apps, officers stress that community cooperation often proves crucial in resolving such cases and in identifying additional victims.
The accused was arrested in Toronto and taken into custody without reported incident. No further charges or court dates have been announced publicly by Durham police at this time. As the investigation proceeds, investigators are relying on community members in Oshawa and beyond to help piece together the full circumstances.
Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Regional Police Service, East Division Criminal Investigation Branch at 905-579-1520 ext. 1605 (D/Cst. Cronin). Anonymous tips may be provided through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
