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Security camera image of suspect in sexual assault investigation in Toronto’s Avenue Road/Lawrence Avenue West area

Toronto Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted two women at knifepoint in their own home Monday morning.

The man knocked at the door of the home near Avenue Road and Lawrence Avenue around 10 a.m., claiming to be selling newspaper subscriptions.

Once in the open doorway, police say, the man forced his way inside and, armed with a knife, sexually assaulted both women. He was wounded in the torso during the ensuing struggle, police say, then fled on foot.

The women, aged 25 and 30, were taken to hospital for treatment, police Constable Tony Vella said.

Neither woman knew the assailant. "We're doing everything possible to identify who this man is. A number of officers are currently on scene, they are speaking to witnesses," Constable Vella said.

Police have released several still images from security camera footage of the man, clad in black, walking up the stairs to the doorway of the women's house carrying what appears to be a newspaper. Police are asking anyone in the area whose home is equipped with a CCTV camera to review the footage and report anything suspicious to police. Officers are also asking anyone who has seen a man canvassing door-to-door to give them a call.

The assailant is described as white and clean-shaven, with short, dark hair and of medium build. He was last seen carrying a white bag and wearing a black nylon jacket, black pants and a grey shirt.

Meanwhile, police are also investigating a sexual assault involving a 16-year-old girl in the east end.

The girl was walking near Broadview Avenue and Mortimer Avenue in the city's east end when a man asked her for a light around 9 p.m. Monday. As she approached, he pulled her into a nearby laneway, threatened her with a knife and sexually assaulted her, police said.

The suspect is described as white and approximately 40 years old, about 6' tall and with facial stubble. He was wearing dark, baggy sweatpants, a button-up type shirt and a dark jacket.

With a  report from Jill Mahoney

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