Man arrested after tearing Ukrainian flag off victim’s car, smashing window in hate-motivated attack
Posted February 28, 2022 5:15 pm.
A Markham man was arrested and charged after a road rage incident during which he allegedly ripped a Ukrainian flag off someone’s vehicle and smashed a car window.
York Regional Police say the incident happened on February 27 when the victim was driving in the Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue area in Vaughan.
It’s alleged the driver of a red Range Rover cut them off and stopped in the middle of a live lane of traffic. Police say a man exited the Range Rover, tore off a Ukraine flag from the victim’s vehicle, and smashed a window.
York Regional Police are investigating it as a hate crime.
Investigators believe the man could be connected to similar incidents in Toronto, saying the motivation of the attack is still being determined “as the suspect is not of Eastern European descent and suffers from a significant mental health issue.”
As a result, the suspect will not be identified, police said.
A 32-year-old man from Markham faces one charge of mischief under $5,000.
