Toronto Police are asking for the public's assistance identifying protesters they say damaged police and city property during the G20 summit.
Police have focused on at least five individuals they say damaged a police cruiser. But they added at a news conference Wednesday that the identities of many more people are being sought using images captured on surveillance and by civilians.
"The persons responsible for the assaults on our officers, the burning of our marked police vehicles, the damage done to the downtown buildings and surrounding areas will be held accountable for their criminal conduct," said Detective Sergeant Gary Giroux.
About 1,000 people were arrested in connection with G20 protests in Toronto's downtown core on June 25 and 26.
A unit dedicated exclusively to investigating G20-related incidents is handling the investigation. Citizens have turned in numerous photos and videos to police divisions throughout the city. Police are also receiving assistance from banks which have offered facial recognition software and Passport Canada which has offered passport photographs, Giroux said.
"We'll be able to look at the photograph of the individual committing the crime and the photograph we've been able to obtain – either from a Toronto Police source or from the public and make a determination as to whether it's the same person," he said.
"These events were largely captured in progress by video and still photograph…
"These individuals will all be identified, they will all be arrested, they will all be prosecuted…"
