Toronto police have issued arrest warrants for two members of the Brazilian Pan Am soccer team, who are suspects in a sexual assault investigation.
The assault occurred between Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, Toronto Police Insp. Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said at a news conference Thursday.
A 20-year-old victim and her friend met the men at a nightclub in the downtown area, Beaven-Desjardins said. The group left the club, and the men accompanied the women to a residence, and the victim went to sleep.
The men then entered the victim's bedroom and sexually assaulted her, police said. The victim woke up, and the men left the residence.
Following an investigation, Toronto police issued arrest warrants for 22-year-old Andrey Da Silva Ventura and 21-year-old Lucas Domingues Piazon.
Both men were in Toronto competing in the 2015 Games, which ran from July 10 to 26. They returned to Brazil with their soccer team on July 27.
Da Silva Ventura is living in Brazil, playing for the Botafogo Football Club in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro. The Crown issued a Canada-wide warrant, and will begin the extradition process to bring Da Silva Ventura to Canada. Toronto police will also be working with Canadian and international authorities, and will be alerted if the suspect attempts to travel to another country.
Piazon is in the United Kingdom, playing for the Reading Football Club in the town of Reading. Piazon is wanted on an Ontario-wide warrant, so cannot be extradited, but will be arrested if he enters the province.
When asked why the men were wanted on different types of warrants, Beaven-Desjardins said the decision was made by the Crown, and did not provide further details.
Police asked anyone with more information to contact police at 416-808-7474, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).
