Quebec City police arrest 2 students in Laval University break-ins

Two students at Laval University have been arrested in connection with a rash of break-ins at one of the school's residences in Quebec City.

The break-ins also resulted in several reports by students of sexual assault. 

• 15 complaints of break-ins, alleged sexual crimes reported at Laval University residence
• Rector of Laval University defends silence after reports of sexual assaults

Quebec City police arrested the two young men overnight Friday. Laval University vice-rector Éric Bauce said at a news conference Saturday morning that both men are students at the university. 

One of them lived in the residence where the break-ins occurred. Bauce said they have been suspended pending the legal proceedings. 

Police said they received a total of 15 complaints related to a rash of break-ins last weekend at the Alphonse-Marie-Parent residence. Of those complaints, four of them included allegations of sexual assault.

Mario Vézina of the Quebec City police major crimes unit said Saturday the break-ins occurred over a period of three hours between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Oct. 15.

Thierno-Oury Barry, 19, appeared by video conference in court Saturday morning on one charge of breaking and entering. He will remain detained until Wednesday morning and the Crown says that more charges will be filed next week.

According to police, the second student, a 20-year-old man, was released on a promise to appear in court. 

Vézina said the two men know another but he could not say how.

The Crown currently is deciding whether to go forward with sexual assault charges, police said. 

• Security tightened at Laval University after reports of sexual assault
• Laval University 'wholeheartedly' sides with victims after reports of sexual touching

Case not closed

Police said that video surveillance played an important role in leading to the arrests of the two students. Officers worked day and night to establish what happened, according to Vézina.

"It was very complex because we had a lot of incidents in a short amount of time," he said. 

Investigators are asking for anyone with more information about the alleged break-ins and assaults to come forward.

"If there are more people who were victims or have more information to give, the case is not closed," Vézina said.

Support for students

Denis Brière, rector of Laval University, promised the university will continue to offer its support to the students who filed complaints with police.

"I want to thank the victims for having the immense courage to report it and to file a complaint," Brière said Saturday.

"We're witnessing the beginning of a larger movement where many actors from society have mobilized over the last few days to stop all forms of sexual violence once and for all."

Following the complaints, the university said it had tightened security and that all four residences on campus are now being monitored 24/7 by security guards.

The university also asked students to be vigilant and lock their doors.