LONGUEUIL – On Malo Street in Varennes, many residents can’t believe the news.
Longtime resident Sylvio Fortier was formally charged today with sexually assaulting four women in 2011.
“I didn’t think he was the type,” neighbour Michel Morrisette told Global News.
Longueuil Police describe the 45-year-old man as a sexual predator.
He allegedly attacked women outside the Longueuil metro, and another woman on a bike path in Boucherville.
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At the Longueuil Courthouse Tuesday, he was formally charged with 24 counts – including multiple sexual assault and weapons charges.
Police say he used a Taser gun to subdue some of his victims.
“It was always women between 17 and 30 years old. He’d attack them from behind. Luckily, in most of the cases the women were able to defend themselves,” Cst. Mark David said.
Fortier was arrested last week by Montreal Police in an unrelated case.
Arresting officers searched his bag and discovered “sexual devices.”
Detectives in Longueuil were alerted about the strange find, and later questioned him.
Fortier reportedly confessed to the crimes.
The Varennes man remains detained until his next court appearance September 25th.
Longueuil Police say the 24 charges against him could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Detectives from across the province could soon question the suspected predator in other unsolved cases.
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