A Mexican citizen has been charged in relation to 11 sexual assaults after being arrested during a sting operation in the Bloor Street West area over the weekend, police said Monday.

"We were doing an undercover police operation at Bloor and Christie, and he was caught in the act of groping one of the female officers," Detective Leslie Hildred told CTV.ca.

A news conference was held Monday afternoon to announce the success of the sting, held after 11 women reported being groped near Bloor Street West, between Bathurst Street and Lansdowne Avenue, between Aug. 13 and Sept. 21.

On Aug. 29, police alerted residents to be aware of a man who was touching women as he rode by on bicycle.

Police said the man would ride away laughing.

On Monday, Hildred said the suspect did not ride a bicycle during every attack.

"He's sexually assaulted 11 women, some were on bicycles," Hildred said. "He follows. He likes the element of surprise and attacks from behind."

Another man was with him on at least two occasions, but police said he did not take part in the assault.

The attacks occurred late at night, commonly between midnight and 2:30 a.m.

Ulices Hernandez, 23, has been charged with six counts of sexual assault and one count of assault to resist arrest.

Police said Hernandez, a Mexican citizen, has been staying at a house in the neighbourhood where the assaults took place. He came to Toronto on July 7, with the intent of applying for refugee status, Hildred said.

Hernandez will appear at a bail hearing in Old City Hall later this week.