Hamilton police warn public after sexual assault suspect released on bail

Hamilton police are warning the public to stay vigilant after a 22-year-old man accused of violent sexual assaults was released on bail Monday.

After a nearly two-year-long investigation, Leikeze Cheruiyot was extradited to Canada from the United States in November 2024 after being accused of multiple violent incidents that targeted vulnerable people.

In July 2022, officers say a woman was dragged off-trail and assaulted while walking in the area of Upper Paradise Road and Donnici Drive. She was allegedly gagged and her wrists were tied behind her back. Witnesses walking by the area interrupted the assault, causing the man to run away.

In August 2023, a 74-year-old woman was alone in her home on the west Mountain when an unknown man entered. The man allegedly assaulted her for over an hour before leaving.

In both cases, investigators were initially unable to identify a suspect. However, in January 2024, forensic evidence connected both assaults to the same man.

Hamilton police believe Cheruiyot remains a threat to the community and are taking steps to warn the public by releasing his photo.

If you have any additional information that could help these investigations, please call Det. Const. Ben Kingdon at 905-540-5543 or email bkingdon@hamiltonpolice.ca.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent sexual assault. Details on free, confidential support across Ontario can be found at sacha.ca or at SACHA’s 24-hour support line: 905-525-4162.

READ MORE: Extradited man charged in violent sexual assaults in Hamilton in 2022-23