(Ottawa)  Police have arrested a man who allegedly assaulted and robbed gay men he met through a popular telephone chat service.

But, Ottawa police say they believe there is nothing to link the suspect to the killing of Christopher Raynsford.  Raynsford's body was found in downtown Ottawa apartment on Dec. 4. Investigators believe he may have met his killer in an internet gay chat room.

Lawrence Pigeon, 37, is charged with 11 counts of robbery, nine counts of being unlawfully in a dwelling, three counts of forcible entry, two counts of forcible confinement, one count of assault causing bodily harm, one count of mischief, one count of extortion, one count of possession of a dangerous weapon and one count of break-and-enter.

All of the charges relate to incidents that took place between May 2001 and last August.

Police said Pigeon met his victims on the chatline, posing as a bisexual who was looking for quick sex.  After a sexual encounter he would demand money.  Investigators said he returned to the homes one or more times to demand more cash.

In at least two of the more recent incidents, the victims were assaulted for refusing to hand over cash.

One victim was stabbed with a pair of scissors after refusing to pay him.

Raynsford was also a robbery victim.  A month before his murder he was beaten and robbed by a man he met on the internet.  Police say they are looking for a suspect in the killing and feel confident an arrest will be made.  Investigators say the description of the suspect does not match Pigeon.

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