12-year-old sexually assaulted on trail in Thorold

Niagara police are investigating after a 12-year-old was sexually assaulted while walking on a trail with friends in Thorold.

Officers were called to the area of Ormond St. South and Lyndon St. East around 7:48 p.m. on Tuesday.

Police say the youth was walking with four friends on a trail in the area of Ormond St. South and Dock Rd. after the group had gone swimming nearby.

A man approached the children and sexually assaulted one of them. He then left the area on foot.

Police were quickly notified about the incident and the K9 Unit flooded the area but were not able to locate the suspect.

The man is described as being white, between 40 and 50 years of age, with a medium build, grey or black “scruffy” hair, and a “belly.”

He was wearing a grey or black shirt, baggy jeans, and a ball cap.

The investigation has been assigned to detectives from the Child Abuse Unit.

Police are asking any residents or businesses in the area with closed-circuit security cameras, doorbell video cameras, or dash cameras to review their footage for suspicious activity between 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. on Sept. 7.

Anyone with information that could help police with the investigation is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, ext. 1008430.