York Regional Police announced that they have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in an assault targeting four Jewish people walking home from a synagogue on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday near the area of Bathurst Street and Flamingo Road, south of Highway 7.
The man allegedly approached the four people on an electric bicycle.
“The victims felt intimidated by the manner in which the suspect operated the bike in their presence,” police told Global News.
An argument broke out between them before the man on the bike allegedly spat on the victims, made antisemitic comments and then rode away.
The assault has been deemed hate-motivated by YRP.
The man, who is from Vaughan, Ont. was found several hours later and apprehended by police. He is 34-years-old and faces two counts of assault and one count of breach of probation.
“York Regional Police takes these matters seriously and is reminding the community we will not tolerate any form of hate crime or the threat of violence against anyone,” said police.
