Toronto police believe there is a sexual predator prowling North York, violently attacking women, often in broad daylight.

The idea sends goosebumps up Elaine Kim’s arms as she stands in the leafy walkway off Averill Cres. near Yonge St. and Finch Ave. The walkway, a common shortcut from Finch subway station, was the scene of a violent sexual assault on July 11.

“I am scared,” said Kim, clutching her friend Ayaka Fukuhara, adding that they just signed a lease to move into the neighbourhood. Both young women are similar to the victims of the predator — five out of six were Asian women between 20 and 39.

Officials have issued a plea to the public to identify the man they believe is behind the spate of six violent sexual assaults that have occurred over the past few months.

Four of the attacks occurred in the Yonge St. and Finch Ave. area, while one other occurred west of Yonge St. on Finch Ave. and another occurred at Don Mills Rd. and Sheppard Ave.

In a news conference Thursday, police outlined some details of the attacks, a description of a “person of interest” in the investigation, and footage captured from a TTC surveillance camera.

Police also released a composite sketch of the man.

The assaults mostly occurred in daylight, between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. One took place at 1:30 a.m.

The man approaches the women from behind and sexually assaults them.

“The sexual assaults are all violent,” Det. Const. Phil Campbell told a news conference. “There’s always a fear this is going to escalate. We want to identify this guy.”

However, he added that none of the victims needed medical attention.

The most recent attack took place near Yonge and Olive Sts., on July 31, when a 29-year-old woman was grabbed from behind at 8:30 p.m.

On July 11 at 4:30 p.m., a 20-year-old female was walking on a path between Averill Cres. and Deering Cres., when she too was grabbed from behind and assaulted.

A 39-year-old woman was attacked in a similar way, while walking on Don Mills Rd. near Sheppard Ave. on June 21, and on June 17 at Yonge St. near Empress Ave., a 29-year-old woman was grabbed while walking.

There are at least two other incidents, as police said the attacks date back to May 8. All but one victim was Asian.

The person of interest is described as Asian, 20 to 25 years old, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, with short, black hair and clean shaven.

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The news of a sexual predator in their area has residents shocked and worried, including Ellen Silver, who lives in a condo building near Finch and Olive Aves.

“I’m floored. The Yonge and Finch corner might not be the nicest in the city . . . but this is a safe area,” she said.