Is Rob Ford in rehab, or was that him with the coffee and sandwich at a Toronto Tim Hortons on Tuesday morning?

In the tale of the never-ending Ford sightings, it depends on whom you believe.

Cayla Clarkson, a 16-year-old high school student, is adamant that she spotted Ford outside the Tim Hortons at Dundas St. W. and Clendenan Ave. Tuesday around 9 a.m. Ford is supposed to be in a rehabilitation facility to deal with problems with alcohol.

Other people, mainly on Twitter, have placed him this week in locations including the streets of Hamilton, driving in Richmond Hill, and at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph. His exact location has not been publicly disclosed.

On Wednesday, the mayor’s brother, Councillor Doug Ford, told reporters it was in fact him who was stopping by the Tim’s on his way to City Hall Tuesday. “That was me,” he said.

Related:

Most rehabs frown on using cellphones, mobile devices

Ford isn’t taking rehab seriously: Editorial

More on Rob Ford

He says he took photos outside the restaurant and handed out t-shirts. Clarkson said the man she believes to be Rob Ford took no photos and gave no t-shirts.

Doug Ford says he was in a suit the whole time. She says she witnessed Rob Ford go inside in a black suit, and leave in a grey sweater and sweatpants.

Doug Ford says he was talkative. Clarkson says the man spoke to no one.

“I’m probably 97 per cent sure (it was Rob Ford),” said Clarkson, sticking to her version of events even after Doug Ford made the statement.

She said she and several onlookers — who told her they were positive the man exiting the black vehicle was Rob Ford — saw Ford go into the restaurant for about 10 to 15 minutes.

“No one was trying to interact with him. Everyone was just kind of like staring at him.”

When he came out, Ford was wearing his grey apparel, with what looked like a Toronto Blue Jays logo, said Clarkson.

“I was standing behind his car, and I had my phone out because I was going to take a picture of him, but then he looked at me and then I kind of put my phone away, because he didn’t really seem to be the happiest person.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

A Tim Hortons employee who declined to give her name said she saw Rob Ford come into the restaurant around 9 a.m. during the morning rush, and that people were approaching him saying, “Mayor, mayor, how are you?”

She said he ordered coffee and a sandwich.

Assistant manager Kim Quach said the mayor had been to her location at least once before, on an evening several months ago.

Doug Ford told reporters Wednesday that Clarkson was “misled by someone. Or maybe she’s doing it on purpose.” Later that afternoon, he said, “Come on,” when asked about the Tim’s sighting, adding his brother is “nowhere close to the GTA.”

Ford called Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington this week, reportedly from rehab, saying it was “amazing” and just like a football camp.

With files from Jennifer Pagliaro

Read more about: