Public alert issued after release of ‘high-risk offender’ in Oshawa

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A public alert has been issued to Oshawa residents about a “high-risk offender” with a violent history who was recently released into their community.

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Durham Regional Police took the rare step to issue the warning on Friday about Keith Theodore Constantin because he “poses a significant risk to the community, especially children.”

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“The offender has prior criminal convictions for sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, assault with a weapon, assault, robbery, possession of explosives, uttering threats, and failing to comply with probation orders,” police said in a statement released Friday.

Offender Management Unit (OMU) officers arrested the 45-year-old, who currently lives in the Oshawa area, for breaching current release conditions on Thursday.

“(He was) held for a bail hearing and released by the courts the following day,” police said.

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The Offender Management Unit will continue to monitor Constantin’s whereabouts and activities,” police said. “Constantin is also subject to electronic monitoring.”

Constantin has previously been convicted of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old boy and a 45-year-old blind woman.

He was released from prison in 2014 after serving four years for sexual assault with a weapon and was living in Hamilton until he broke his curfew and told his managing officer he wanted to go back to jail.

Constantin caused a stir among residents of Schomberg, in York Region, when he was released into that community the following year.

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He is currently bound by conditions requiring that he:

– Not to be alone with anyone under 16 unless the minor is accompanied by a responsible adult over 21;

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– Not to be present in any daycare, swimming area and/or public swimming area, school ground or playground where one might reasonably expect children to be present, or any community centre where children under 16 are present;

– Abstain absolutely from the possession, purchase or consumption of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances, except in accordance with a medical prescription;

– Abstain absolutely from possession, purchase or consumption of alcohol or alcohol-based products;

– Not own or posses any weapons;

– Abide by a curfew from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.;

– Not use the internet or other digital networks.

Anyone with information about this matter can call the Offender Management Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5357, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

[email protected]

@sundoucette

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