57-year-old man charged after allegedly yelling racial slurs targeting the Asian community

Note: This story has been updated with the alleged suspect’s name removed.

A 57-year-old man has been charged by York Regional Police after a hate-motivated incident occurred in Markham on Friday, July 17.

According to police, they were called to Main Street in Unionville on July 17, shortly after 8 pm for a report of a suspect who had been yelling racial slurs, targeting members of the Asian community.

Upon arrival, officers found a victim who said that a man had been causing a disturbance on location. She also told police that the man yelled at her and scratched her car with a key when she confronted him.

Officers were assisted by witnesses as to where the suspect headed. A short time later he was located, placed under arrest and has since been charged.

“York Regional Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form. Those who victimize individuals based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Police said in a release.

Anyone with information can contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.