A couple is facing charges for physically and sexually abusing two people, and police suspect that more victims have yet to come forward.
Patrick Lachance, 35, and Valerie Vezina, 21, are currently behind bars after being charged with sexual assault, kidnapping, conspiracy, and a host of other crimes.
Police say that on Dec. 19 the couple hired an escort, and after the three partook in an evening of drinking and using drugs, proceeded to viciously attack the woman, raping her, and burning her skin.
"We're talking about sexual abuse, we're talking about torture, she was burned with a cigarette and things like that," said Montreal police spokesperson Daniel Lacoursiere.
The woman was allegedly tortured at their apartment at 5898 Hochelaga St. her until she managed to escape and call 9-1-1, at which point police arrested Vezina but Lachance took flight.
Because the victim was unable to provide a coherent account of what happened, Vezina was released from jail.
Police say that one week later, on Dec. 26, Vezina and Lachance brought a man to their Hochelaga-Maisonneuve apartment, and once again after drinking and using drugs, the couple turned violent.
Officers say Lachance pulled a knife on the victim, who was only able to escape by jumping over the balcony into the street and notify police. In this instance, a SWAT team arrived quickly enough to surround the apartment and arrest the pair.
Lachance has a lengthy criminal record for violent crimes.
Lachance and Vezina are now in custody and facing multiple charges while police ask any other possible victims to come forward, either by calling 9-1-1 or their local police station. They face a hearing Friday.
“The investigators believe that if these two people did that twice in such a short period of time, it’s possible that they did this to more victims. More victims may be on the street and that's why we're asking for the public today, if anybody was a victim of these two people on the pictures, to please call 911 and an officer will go and meet with them,” said Daniel Lacoursiere of the Montreal police.
Lachance is described as 5'6" and 158 lbs (1.7 m, 72 kg) with a scar on his abdomen, along with a death's head tattoo on his right arm and a woman's name on his left upper torso. He has a pierced ear and short dark hair.
Vezina has long brown hair, green eyes, stands 5'5" and weighs 120 lbs (1.64 m, 55 kg).
