62-year-old pharmacy manager charged with sexual assault of minor employee in Whitby

Durham Regional Police have charged a 62-year-old Markham man following an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving a teenage employee at a Whitby pharmacy.

Durham Regional Police say the investigation began on August 11, 2026, after the teenager reported being touched inappropriately multiple times by the pharmacy manager while working at the business near Taunton Road East and Garden Street.

On September 16, police arrested 62-year-old Sampath PERERA of Markham without incident.

PERERA has been charged with Sexual Assault and Sexual Exploitation. He was later released on an Undertaking.

Police believe there may be additional victims connected to the investigation. Anyone with information, or anyone who may have experienced similar incidents, is being encouraged to come forward and contact police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5342.

The investigation remains ongoing.