TORONTO — The manhunt for Anthony Olivera, a 24-year-old wanted in a fatal stabbing in Toronto’s east end and multiple violent incidents in Durham Region, has ended. Authorities confirmed he was arrested in Niagara Falls on Sunday, June 23.
Olivera has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 35-year-old Ashkan Pournasir-Roudbane, who was stabbed just after 11 p.m. on June 17 behind a plaza near Danforth Avenue and Coxwell Avenue. Pournasir-Roudbane was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
According to Det. Sgt. Henri Marsman, the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked.
“The victim was sitting down and had no chance to defend himself or flee,” Marsman said.
Police stated that the victim and suspect did not know each other, and that Pournasir-Roudbane was likely targeted due to being alone in an isolated area.
Following the stabbing, police issued bulletins to all GTA transit agencies, including Toronto, Durham, and Peel, warning that Olivera was known to travel via public transit.
On June 23, Niagara Regional Police arrested Olivera in the Falls Avenue and Clifton Hill area of Niagara Falls. He was taken into custody without incident.
In addition to the Toronto homicide, Durham Regional Police confirmed that Olivera is also wanted for assault and weapons charges in connection with an attempted stabbing in Oshawa earlier this month. Authorities have stated that additional charges related to that incident are pending.
Olivera has a prior criminal history, including a 2022 aggravated assault charge after he nearly beat a man to death in Courtice, Ontario. He turned himself in to police at that time.
The investigation is ongoing as both Toronto and Durham police work together to bring full charges against Olivera in connection with the recent string of violent events.
