Police say Brazilian Pan Am athlete accused of sexual assault on Toronto woman
Posted Jul 24, 2015 08:15:47 AM.
Last Updated Jul 24, 2015 06:00:10 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO – A Brazilian water polo player who competed in the Pan Am Games is wanted in an alleged sex assault in Toronto, but police say they believe he has left the country.
Police say Thye Bezerra, 27, and a friend were visiting a Toronto woman in her home the morning of July 16 when the woman went to sleep.
“Mr. Bezerra then entered the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted her,” Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said.
Investigators are seeking a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest, and note he could be arrested in another country that has an extradition arrangement with Canada.
“If he goes to Brazil, we don’t have a treaty with at this time, but if he goes to another country that does have a treaty, he could be arrested,” Beaven-Desjardins said, adding police will be notified of his travel.
The woman will not be publicly identified but Beaven-Desjardins said she is neither a Pan Am volunteer nor an athlete. The inspector would not comment on how the two know each other.
The Brazilian men’s water polo team won silver at the Pan Am Games on July 15.
Marcus Vinicius Freire, head of performance for the Brazilian team, said the delegation had contacted a lawyer and was working with the Brazilian consulate in Toronto.
Brazilian team officials said they did not know if Bezerra had gone to Russia, where the world swimming championships are taking place.
The Brazilian Olympic Committee said it had no information on the investigation.
The Confederation of Brazilian Aquatic Sports lists Bezerra as a native of Rio de Janeiro and a member of the Club Athletico Paulistano in Sao Paulo.
Police said they identified the suspect after the team had left Toronto.
Beaven-Desjardins said sex assaults are always a concern during large events but that a spike hasn’t been reported during the Games.
Roughly 10,000 athletes and officials from 41 countries have travelled to Toronto for the Games, which began on July 10 and wrap up Sunday. It’s the largest international multi-sport event ever held in Canada, surpassing even the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
The Parapan Am Games are set to begin on Aug. 7 and run until Aug. 15.
— With files from The Associated Press
