Investigators from the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau are seeking a suspect following several acts of vandalism in the City of Vaughan and City of Markham.
On Monday, July 29, 2024, police were notified of seven incidents involving businesses and a synagogue that were spray painted with anti-Semitic messages in the area of Yonge Street and Centre Street, as well as Clark Avenue. Officers learned that between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on July 29, 2024, a lone suspect walked up to several properties and used red spray paint to write the messages.
The suspect is described as wearing all black and a white, Halloween-style mask. A suspect vehicle has been identified as a light-blue sport utility vehicle.
Video of the incident can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/rsRDTnFNFgQ
Investigators from the Hate Crime Unit suspect these incidents to be hate motivated. The Hate Crime Unit is engaged whenever hate is suspected to be a motivating factor in any incident.
Investigators are appealing to any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police, and to anyone who may have dashcam footage of the area around the time of the incidents, to please come forward.
York Regional Police takes these matters seriously. All reports of hate crime or hate/bias incidents will be investigated thoroughly. If you witness or have been the victim of a hate crime or hate/bias incident, we encourage you to report it to police immediately.
Information about this incident can be provided by calling the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7241. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by visiting their website at www.1800222tips.com.
Video can be uploaded through this link: https://yrp.ca.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/graffiti or by scanning the attacjed QR code.
Visit our Community Safety Data Portal for complete stats and crime data within York Region. Crime prevention is our shared responsibility. Learn more about Operation Streetview.
Prepared by: Constable Kevin Nebrija
24-238767
July 30, 2024
