Toronto police have laid hate-related charges against a 35-year-old man after investigating several reports of graffiti near York University.
Police said they received reports between April and June of buildings that had been vandalized with spray paint featuring writing that targeted ethnic and religious communities.
The force says a Toronto resident has been charged with seven counts of mischief that damaged property under $5,000 and one count of breaking and entering to commit a crime – all considered hate motivated.
Toronto police Constable David Hopkinson says the force sought permission from the Attorney General’s office to classify the charges as hate motivated.
Const. Hopkinson did not name the specific communities that were targeted, citing the ongoing investigation and legal process.
The suspect appeared in court on Tuesday.
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