(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Adelle Loiselle)(BlackburnNews.com file photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Sarnia

Toronto man charged after profane calls to area schools

A Toronto man faces numerous charges in connection with a series of profane, threatening phone calls to several schools in Sarnia and the Windsor area.

Police say Ahmad Zafar, 28, is in custody awaiting a bail hearing on five counts of criminal harassment and 11 counts of uttering threats.

Sarnia Police Service Cst. John Sottosanti said the investigation began after school officials contacted the police.

"From the information received and due to the nature of the incidents, school officials and the police did not believe the students or staff were in danger," said Sottosanti. "The Sarnia police did continue their investigation into this matter and were able to determine the caller was from the Toronto area."

Police said on Wednesday at about 11:30 a.m. various schools in Sarnia, both from the Catholic and public school boards, began receiving phone calls to their offices.

Numerous calls over about 45 minutes included threats, profanity and obscenities directed at the individual on the phone.

Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) Superintendent Gary Girardi said they worked effectively with their school board partners, police, and their telephone service provider.

"We worked with our staff to report those calls to the police and an investigation was launched in cooperation with Cogeco, which is our telephone service provider, for all of the affected school boards," said Girardi.

Zafar was arrested by Toronto police Thursday and was transported to Sarnia to answer to the charges.

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