The manhunt for a 24-year-old suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing and several violent incidents in Durham Region has resulted in the arrest of Anthony Olivera in Niagara Falls on Sunday. Toronto police confirmed that Olivera has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 35-year-old Ashkan Pournasir-Roudbane.
The incident took place on June 17, when Pournasir-Roudbane and Olivera allegedly became involved in an altercation just after 11 p.m. behind a plaza located in the vicinity of Danforth Avenue and Coxwell Avenue. During this altercation, Pournasir-Roudbane was stabbed, leading to critical injuries that necessitated his hospitalization. Unfortunately, he was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Authorities stated that the two men did not know each other prior to this event and that Pournasir-Roudbane was likely targeted because he was alone in a secluded area at the time of the attack. Detective Sergeant Henri Marsman mentioned, “The victim was sitting down and had no chance to defend himself or flee,” highlighting the premeditated nature of the assault.
In the days following the stabbing, police launched a massive search for Olivera, who was believed to have been using public transit across the Greater Toronto Area, including regions like Durham and Peel. Police circulated bulletins to all transit agencies as part of their efforts to locate him.
On Sunday, the search concluded when Olivera was found in the Falls Avenue and Clifton Hill area of Niagara Falls. He was apprehended by the Niagara Regional Police and taken into custody without incident. This arrest is a significant development in a case that has drawn considerable public and media attention.
In addition to the murder charge, Durham police indicated that Olivera was also wanted in connection with an attempted stabbing incident that occurred earlier in the month in Oshawa. They have confirmed that further charges related to this matter will be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
Olivera has a history of violent behavior, previously facing charges for aggravated assault two years ago after he nearly beat a man to death in Courtice, Ontario. In that case, he voluntarily turned himself in to law enforcement. This pattern of violence underscores the serious nature of the current allegations against him and raises questions about community safety and the management of repeat offenders.
As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the judicial handling of Olivera's case, particularly due to the severity of the charges and his previous criminal history. The community is left to grapple with the implications of such violent incidents and the continuing challenges posed by individuals with a propensity for severe criminal behavior.
