By Brock Weir

A 22-year-old Newmarket man is facing multiple charges following a sexual assault on a teen in Aurora last month.

Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, July 3, following an investigation into a sexual assault that occurred on Aurora's trail system on the morning of Monday, June 24.

Gonzalez Ramirez faces charges of aggravated sexual assault, assault with a weapon, pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon, and sexual interference person under 16.

York Regional Police have also charged 32-year-old Santiago Gonzalez Ramirez, also of Newmarket, with Accessory After the Fact. The two men are brothers, according to Police.

“In the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 3, investigators arrested Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez from the Town of Newmarket in connection with the ongoing sexual assault investigation,” said Constable Laura Nicolle in a statement Thursday. “The arrest came as a result from tips from the community and investigators would like to thank the media and the public for their ongoing support and assistance in this investigation. Officers also arrested and charged Santiago Gonzalez Ramirez…with Accessory After the Fact. Anyone who aids or assists a suspect in escaping or evading police may be subject to a criminal charge of Accessory After the Fact.”

The charges have not been proven in court.

On June 24, at approximately 11.50 a.m., a female teen was assaulted and sexually assaulted on the trails system just west of Aurora Town Hall.

“She was alone and she was approached by a male who is unknown to her,” said Detective Sergeant Simon James. “The male tried to briefly engage in conversation, she continued to walk, and shortly after that, she was assaulted and sexually assaulted. We believe the individual was armed with a handgun and the victim did sustain minor injuries as a result of the attack.”

The handgun, he added, was used to assault the victim but it was not discharged in the attack.

Following the assault, the victim was able to reach Town Hall where she received assistance from municipal employees.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for minor physical injuries.

Following appeals to the public, images of the suspect were collected from area surveillance cameras as well as cameras on board York Region Transit buses.

“This investigation is ongoing and investigators are still looking to speak with anyone with information, including the potential witness who was jogging on the trails and the young woman with blonde hair who was approached by the suspect after getting off York Region Transit bus #1088 on the date of the incident,” said Constable Nicolle on Thursday.

According to Police, the young blonde woman was seen going into a nearby Tim Hortons following the the interaction and Police are “interested in the details of this interaction and want to ensure she was not the victim of any offence.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact York Regional Police's Special Victims Unit – Sexual Assault Section at 1-866-876-5423 x7071 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.