Brazilian athlete sought for alleged sex assault

TORONTO (AP) - A Brazilian water polo player who competed in the Pan Am Games is wanted in an alleged sex assault in Toronto, and police believe he has left the country.

Thye Bezerra and a friend were visiting a Toronto woman in her home the morning of July 16 when the woman went to sleep, police said. The 27-year-old water polo player then "entered the victim's bedroom and sexually assaulted her," inspector Joanna Beaven-Desjardins said.

Investigators are seeking a warrant for his arrest across Canada and he could be arrested in another country that has an extradition arrangement with Canada.

Beaven-Desjardins said Brazil and Canada do not have such an agreement "at this time." The inspector added police will be notified of his travel. Police identified the suspect after the team left Toronto.

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.

Carlos Nuzman, head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, said Friday in Toronto he had no information about the case.

"When we learned about this at 7 a.m. we did what we always do. We are open to deliver any information when we have more information."

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 men's water polo team won the silver medal at the Pan Am Games on July 15.