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, according to the news release by the Vancouver Police Department.
The incidents began on August 4 at approximately 9 a.m., when a suspect was panhandling outside the restaurant and was asked to leave by security guards, the news release noted. During the interaction, the man allegedly threw a cup, pushed a security guard, and yelled racist comments about the guard’s ethnicity and religion. The suspect then allegedly struck the security guard and removed his turban before leaving the area.
A short time later, approximately one block away, the suspect allegedly approached another victim and demanded money while making threats, according to the news release. The victim handed over cash, after which the suspect allegedly struck him 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, where he was arrested without incident and taken into custody. He has since 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 is asked to call the Vancouver non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.
