Police following up on tips after man accused of licking strangers' feet

Police are seeking this suspect in connection with a sexual assault and shoe thefts.

Police north of Toronto are following up on numerous tips after releasing photos of a man accused of targeting women in tanning salons, licking their feet before stealing their shoes.

In one case, witnesses said the man entered an Aurora, Ont., tanning salon and started questioning a woman about her shoes, York Regional Police Const. Laura Nicolle told CTV News Channel on Monday.

He asked to look closer at the shoe, smelled it and then left with it, according to witnesses.

The next day, on Thursday, Nov. 20, a male matching the same description asked a woman at a salon about her shoes, before grabbing her leg. He removed her shoe and sock then "basically licked her foot" before fleeing with the shoe and sock, Nicolle said.

Incidents have also been reported Barrie and South Simcoe, she said.

The suspect is described as white, around 5-foot-8 and approximately 25 to 35 years old, with a medium build. He has short, reddish-brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard.

He's been described as "well dressed" by witnesses, Nicolle said. Already, police have received several tips and are following up on all of them, she said.

"You never know what piece of information might be useful."

Police are asking anyone with information on the suspect to call the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7071, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, online at www.1800222tips.com or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637).

Alternatively, they can call Barrie Police investigators at 705-725-7025, ext. 2129.