Hamilton man arrested and charged in hate crime investigation

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Published September 9, 2022 at 3:54 pm

A 22-year-old Hamilton man faces two charges in connection with an alleged hate crime, where members of the city’s Jewish community were targeted during a break-in.

Hamilton Police say that the hate crime took place in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton at around 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday (Sept. 6). A suspect allegedly broke into a residence in the area of Haddon Ave. S. and Main St. W. in the middle of the night.

The incident is one of two hate crime investigations of anti-Semitic acts that HPS has commenced this week. Photos of a suspect who left anti-Semitic graffiti in the Main St. W. and Bay St. areas were released on Friday. Those acts took place between Sunday and Tuesday, but the suspect was described as being anywhere from in his 30s to in his 50s.

“The occurrence (in Westdale) has been reviewed by the Hate Crime Unit and is being investigated as a hate crime,” the police stated on Friday (Sept. 9). “A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by hate/bias or prejudice based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other similar factor.

“Hamilton Police are working with the victims, the Jewish Federation of Hamilton and community members to ensure their safety.

“Hate crime in Hamilton is not acceptable. Left unchecked, hate crime can have a far reaching impact on communities.”

Yonis Mohamed is charging with commiting a breaking-and-entering and disobeying a court order.

Reporting hate or bias occurrences in Hamilton can be reported on to HPS on the phone (905-546-4925) or in person at any police station.

Anyone who information that could assist Hamilton Police with either of these investigations may contact Det. Fabiano Mendes (905-546-5678) with the HPS Hate Crime Unit.

Information may be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477; online: crimestoppershamilton.com).

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