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In recent developments, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have announced an urgent search for Simon Gares, a high-risk offender who has reportedly breached his statutory release conditions. This comes shortly after a warning from Toronto police concerning Gares, who poses a potential risk to the community and specifically to children.
The OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad has issued a Canada-wide warrant for the 43-year-old. Gares is described as approximately 5’10” tall, weighing around 170 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is notably tattooed, with distinct designs including a dragon on his right shoulder, a tribal joker on his left shoulder, an Irish Cross on his right forearm, and the word “TWISTED” inked across his back. Additionally, he has tattoos of barbed wire on both wrists, with messages such as “LIFE IS SIMPLE” and symbols that include a star and the number five.
Gares was released from prison on March 14, 2025, to reside in a community-based residential facility in Toronto. Just under two weeks later, the Toronto police issued a public notice regarding his potential danger to children and the community at large.
Conditions of Release
Authorities have stated that during his statutory release, Gares was subject to strict conditions, including restrictions against entering establishments that serve alcohol, consuming alcohol and drugs, and the necessity of adhering to a treatment plan. His current sentence includes eight months and seventeen days for breaching a long-term supervision order.
Notably, Gares has a criminal history dating back to 2019 when he was convicted for assault causing bodily harm, with his victim being a five-year-old child. This incident occurred in 2016 as the child entered a bakery with his family, where multiple witnesses reported seeing Gares kick the child with significant force, leading to the child’s temporary unconsciousness and subsequent hospitalization.
Further compounding his criminal record, in 2013, Gares made threats against elementary school-aged children in a fit of anger, stemming from a dispute with the Children’s Aid Society regarding access to his own children. This prompted his legal counsel to alert the police about the gravity of the threats.
Gares’ previous convictions also included charges for threatening death, theft, assault with intent to resist arrest, and failing to comply with probation. Upon his release in 2015, a public safety warning was disseminated to local schools, informing parents of the potential risks associated with his presence in the area.
As the OPP continues their search for Gares, the community remains vigilant, aware of the risks highlighted by law enforcement regarding this offender.
Source
globalnews.ca