Toronto Police Service
www.tps.ca
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News Release
Man Sought in Suspected Hate-Motivated Criminal Harassment Investigation, Bay Street and St. Joseph Street area
Broadcast time: 08:18 PM
Date: Sunday, Apr 28, 2024
Unit: Intelligence Services
Case #: 2024-567924
The Toronto Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance identifying a suspect in a suspected hate-motivated criminal harassment investigation.
It is reported that:
on March 14, 2024, the suspect followed the victim in the Bay Street and St. Joseph Street area
the suspect made anti-2SLGBTQI+ comments while continuously harassing the victim
the suspect was last seen in the area of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road
The suspect is described as male, possibly in their 50’s, 5’4′ to 5’6′ tall, with a stocky build.
Images have been released.
This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.
If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.
Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.
Constable Laurie McCann for Detective Charles Lee
Images for this release are available on our website.
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https://www.tps.ca/