Toronto Police Investigate Holiday Inn Break-in Attempt on Sudbury Family
A Sudbury family's weekend trip to Toronto for a basketball tournament turned into a nightmare when a man attempted to force his way into their hotel room in the middle of the night. The incident, which occurred at the Holiday Inn Express on Norfinch Drive in North York, is now under active investigation by Toronto Police.
A Terrifying Three-Minute Struggle
Glen Guitard described the early Sunday morning encounter as "pure panic and fear." At approximately 2 a.m., Guitard opened his hotel room door just an inch to see who was knocking. What followed was a three-minute physical struggle as he fought to prevent a man from pushing his way inside while Guitard's 12-year-old son Carter was in the room.
"I was pushing to not let him in," Guitard recalled. "I was worried he may try to take my son."
Security footage reviewed by hotel management confirmed the confrontation lasted exactly three minutes, though Guitard noted the man had been standing outside their door for thirteen minutes prior to knocking while the family slept.
Police Investigation Underway
The Holiday Inn Express location sits adjacent to Toronto Police's 31 Division station, adding an ironic twist to the frightening episode. Toronto Police spokesperson Shannon Eames confirmed the case is "actively being investigated" and noted no physical injuries resulted from the incident.
According to Guitard, the hotel manager identified the alleged perpetrator as a repeat offender with a previous incident at the property in December 2024. Police responded approximately one hour after Carter Guitard placed a 911 call during the confrontation.
Previous Disturbing Incident
The Sunday morning encounter was not the first disturbance at the family's hotel room door. On Friday night, a Black girl approximately 14 years old, described as appearing confused, stood at their door attempting to look inside before moving along when told she had the wrong room.
Guitard expressed concern that the two incidents might be connected, suggesting "there was a potential trafficking situation going on." The family reported the girl appeared disoriented during the Friday encounter.
Family Impact and Public Safety Concerns
The emotional aftermath has been significant for the Guitard family. Glen Guitard reported his son Carter remains "very shaken up and in need of therapy" following the traumatic experience. The family's younger son, 7-year-old Gavin, had already returned to Sudbury with his mother Jessica McKerral due to illness when the Sunday incident occurred.
Guitard emphasized he is speaking publicly about the ordeal to warn other families about potential safety concerns. "Toronto needs to make this a priority and find out what was going on there," he stated.
Unanswered Questions
Several crucial questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues. Police have not confirmed the identity or current whereabouts of the man described as approximately 5-foot-8 with a light-brown complexion and Middle Eastern appearance. The man reportedly claimed he needed to retrieve his phone during the confrontation.
Authorities have also not determined whether the Sunday incident connects to the Friday encounter with the teenage girl or to the December 2024 incident involving the same alleged perpetrator. No charges have been filed, and the allegations have not been tested in court.
The Toronto Sun has requested access to security footage showing the man who attempted to enter the room, hoping to assist with identification efforts. The hotel's parent company has not responded to requests for comment regarding the incidents or their security protocols.
