York Regional Police investigators are asking for public assistance in a two-month-old assault incident also believed to be connected to the violent abduction of a woman from a Wasaga Beach residence in January.
According to York police, a woman was attacked and struck with a frying pan at an underground parking garage on King William Crescent in Richmond Hill on Dec. 20. The vehicle used by the suspects to flee had been stolen. It has since been recovered, police said.
The details and date of the attack match an account given by the family of Elnaz Hajtamiri, who went public last month with details about her abduction and assault.
"This incident is believed to be connected to the ongoing investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police into the abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri," stated a news release from York police.
Following the Dec. 20 assault, Hajatmiri was taken to hospital, and her family said she required dozens of stitches for a gash across her forehead and scalp.
Her family also said tracking devices were found in Hajtamiri's vehicle after the assault.
Hajtamiri's family said she left her home soon after the assault and was staying in Wasaga Beach with relatives, where she believed she would be safe.
OPP reported Hajtamiri, 37, was taken from a home in Wasaga Beach on Jan. 12 around 8:30 p.m. by three Black men dressed as police claiming to have a warrant for her arrest.
When the people inside the home got suspicious, the men pushed past them, grabbing Hajtamiri and taking her from the home. They put her inside a white Lexus and drove away.
There have been no updates from police on the progress of finding Hajtamiri since OPP announced a tipline on Jan. 18.
Anyone with information on this abduction and home invasion can call the dedicated tip line at 1-888-728-3415. Police are also using the hashtag #BringElnazHome on social media.
Meanwhile, York Regional Police are asking the public for information to assist in identifying two suspects from the Dec. 20 assault in the parking garage.
Police released descriptions of the two suspects as well as surveillance images.
Both suspects are male, medium build, and between 25 and 30 years old. One is 6'2" with short brown hair, and was wearing a camo puffed jacket and dark pants. The second man was about 5'10" and was wearing a dark, hooded jacket.
Anyone with information about the two suspects or the Dec. 20 assault is asked to contact York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7250, or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at www.1800222tips.com.
