Markham man arrested for allegedly luring 16-year-old girl

By Michael Ranger

Posted January 18, 2024 9:34 am.

Last Updated January 19, 2024 7:09 pm.

A Markham man is facing charges for allegedly luring a teenage girl through phone messages.

York Regional Police (YRP) say members of their human trafficking unit began investigating in December after getting reports that a man was communicating with a 16-year-old girl for a sexual purpose since September 2023.

Police allege the man exchanged messages with the girl and “lured her into sexual encounters with himself.”

Investigators identified a suspect on Jan. 11 and he was arrested after officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Markham.

Markham resident Vytas Velyvis, 54, is facing two charges including luring a person under 18.

“Investigators believe there are other victims who have not yet come forward,” reads a YRP release. “They are encouraged to contact police as soon as possible.”

The investigation is ongoing.

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