A man was arrested on Thursday in the Bellefeuille neighbourhood of Saint-Jérôme, north of Montreal, as part of an “investigation into sexual offences against children.” “The suspect is currently being questioned by investigators regarding several criminal offences of a sexual nature,” Saint-Jérôme police (SPVSJ) said. The force confirmed that its investigation began in late October “following reports from several minor victims who received messages while trick-or-treating on Halloween in the Bellefeuille neighbourhood.” The ongoing investigation is in collaboration with the Sûreté du Québec’s Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation Team. “The SPVSJ is reminding the public that vigilance and cooperation are essential to combating the sexual exploitation of children and helping to protect them,” police noted. Saint-Jérôme police is encouraging anyone with information, or who received a message while trick-or-treating on Halloween, to confidentially contact police at 450-432-1111, ext. 7, or speak directly with the investigator in charge, Juliane Paquette, at 450-432-3000, ext. 2290.
