Windsor police have urged anyone who may have had interaction with a man being held in Michigan to come forward.
Investigators held a media conference Friday afternoon at Windsor Police Headquarters, providing an update on the case involving Shahzad Hameedi, who is suspected of sexually abusing a four-year-old boy in Windsor, and is facing charges on both sides of the border.
Hameed, 46, was arrested on June 27 by U.S. Marshals in Royal Oak, Michigan. A search of the house uncovered evidence suggesting a plot to kidnap the boy from Windsor and hold him for ransom.
Windsor Police Major Crimes Staff Sergeant David Tennent said it is a complex investigation involving multiple agencies in Canada and the U.S., but praised the efforts of American law enforcement.
"We were able to work together with our U.S. law enforcement partners in the States to identify this individual," said Tennent.
Tennent added that Hameedi had met the victim's mother through a dating app, and that he had not returned to Windsor since the alleged sexual assault.
Police believe that there may be more people who have had interactions with Hameedi, who has possessed forms of ID from Ontario and three U.S. states.
Tennent had a message for anyone who may be scared or embarrassed to come forward.
"We say to them, 'You fell to somebody's trickery', and a lot of these people will tolerate vulnerable people," said Tennent. "So, we say to these people, 'You're not a victim'. Call the police, and we will support you and we will help you."
Tennent said Hameedi is connected to a previous break-and-enter on Askin Avenue, a few days before the sexual assault took place. Police say he wore a disguise, beat, and choked the victim's mother.
Hameedi is charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual interference, break-and-enter, two counts of assault, choking, wearing a disguise to commit an offence, possession of a prohibited weapon, and assault causing bodily harm.
He is being held in a Michigan jail to face additional charges there. Windsor police say they must allow the U.S. charges to play out before they can extradite Hameedi to Canada. If convicted on the U.S. charges, Hameedi could face 20 years or more in an American prison.
The charges have yet to be proven in court.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call Windsor police's Major Crimes Unit at (519) 255-6700, ext. 4830. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (519) 258-TIPS (8477).