Vancouver – A 44-year-old man has been arrested and is under investigation for a possible hate crime following a series of violent incidents at a fast-food restaurant near Main Street and 2nd Avenue.
On August 4, at approximately 9 a.m., a suspect was panhandling outside the restaurant when security guards asked him to leave the property. During the interaction, the man allegedly threw a cup, pushed a security guard, and yelled racist comments about the security guard’s ethnicity and religion. The suspect then allegedly struck the security guard and removed the security guard’s turban before leaving the area.
A short time later, approximately one block away, the suspect allegedly approached another victim and demanded money while allegedly making threats. The victim complied and handed over cash. The suspect then allegedly struck the victim in the head and demanded more money. After providing additional cash, the victim was able to get away and call police.
Officers quickly responded and tracked the suspect to a nearby residence. The suspect was arrested without incident and taken into custody. He has been released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
Police are recommending charges of assault and robbery. VPD patrol and hate crime officers continue their investigation. Anyone with additional information about the incidents is asked to call the Vancouver non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.
