Member of Brazil’s Pan Am water polo team wanted for Toronto sex assault
Posted July 24, 2015 8:15 am.
Last Updated July 24, 2015 8:04 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto police allege a member of Brazil’s Pan Am water polo team sexually assaulted a woman while she slept in her downtown home, then flew to another competition overseas.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Thye Mattos Venura Bezerra, 27.
Police believe he is now back in Brazil.
Bezerra was in Toronto between July 3 and 16th, and competed in the Games in Markham, where the Brazilian team won a silver medal.
The alleged assault took place in the early morning hours of July 16 at the 22-year-old victim’s home in the downtown area.
Police say the woman was at her home with a friend and two men. When she went to sleep, police allege the athlete attacked her.
“Mr. Bezerra then entered the victim’s bedroom and sexually assaulted her,” Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said at a Friday news conference.
“He’s been positively identified as a member of the water polo team,” confirmed Beaven-Desjardins..
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 Olympic Committee said it had no information on the investigation.
Police believe there may be more victims and they’re seeking a Canada-wide warrant.
Canada does not have an extradition agreement with Brazil, but Bezerra could be arrested in another country that has a treaty with Canada.
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.
