Residents in an Etobicoke neighbourhood are “on edge” over a sexual attacker who assaulted a woman while she slept last Sunday morning, Toronto police say.

Det. Const. Thomas Ueberholz released surveillance photos and a video on Wednesday of a suspect wanted for a series of break-ins in the early morning hours of July 7.

The suspect broke in to four homes in the Berry Road and Parklawn Road area of Etobicoke between 12:55 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.

One woman was sexually assaulted while she slept.

“It is very unsettling,” Ueberholz said. “When they go to sleep it’s a basic human right that you should feel safe.”

At about 2:30 a.m., the suspect was seen prowling around homes in the area when he was discovered by a resident and fled, Ueberholz said.

The same man is suspected of at least two sexual assaults last Sept. 18 and a number of break-ins in 2012.

Police don’t know why the break-ins abruptly stopped in the fall and winter and resumed last week.

The police detective speculated that the man may have left the city for a few months or resumed his activities as the weather improved.

“We’ll have to ask him when we catch him,” Ueberholz said.

No getaway vehicle has been seen in any of the incidents.

The suspect is “quick and agile,” according to the detective. He has been seen hopping over fences and railings to make his escape.

The suspect appears to be after property when he first enters homes through a window or door. He has taken cash and any items that can be hand held, the detective said.

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“We’re encouraging people to report any suspicious activity to police,” Ueberholz said.

He also asked people if they have any surveillance footage to contact Toronto police or the Sex Crimes Unit to find out more about sexual assault and to learn how to report such crimes.

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