A 54-year-old Markham man is facing a criminal harassment charge after police say he repeatedly attended another person's swimming lessons at the Markham Pan Am Centre over several months.
York Regional Police said officers were called to the centre at about 3:50 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, for a report of a suspicious person.
What police allege
According to police, the victim was walking toward the entrance of the facility when a man they did not know began calling out their name, and kept calling it until the victim was inside.
Once in the swimming area, police say, the victim noticed the same man in the stands. Staff asked him to leave and contacted police.
During the investigation, officers learned the man had been attending the victim's swim sessions repeatedly over a span of several months, police said.
Luigi Kong, 54, of Markham, was charged on Jan. 14 with criminal harassment. Police released details of the case, along with a photo of the accused, on Monday, Jan. 19. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Criminal harassment, often described as stalking, is a Criminal Code offence that covers conduct such as repeatedly following or watching a person, or showing up where they live, work or spend time, in a way that causes them to reasonably fear for their safety.
Police appeal for witnesses
Anyone with information is asked to call York Regional Police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541.
The Markham Pan Am Centre, built for the 2015 Pan Am Games, is one of the city's main recreation facilities, and its pools host public swims, lessons and club training.
