On September 28, 2020 York Regional police issued the following press release:
Suspect Wanted Following Multiple Hate-Motivated Graffiti Incidents in Vaughan
Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit and the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted in connected with multiple hate-motivated incidents in the City of Vaughan.
On September 18, 2020, officers responded to a call for a hate-motivated incident in the area of New Westminster Drive and Steeles Avenue. The caller had been driving his vehicle when a suspect not known to him began yelling anti-Semitic remarks. The victim began filming the suspect who approached the vehicle and attempted to assault him.
Investigators believe that this incident is connected to six other incidents that began on September 18, 2020, involving graffiti written on garage doors and vehicles on Mullen Drive. Investigators believe that the graffiti is hate-motivated. It references both the Black and Jewish communities.
Investigators have identified the suspect and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Anyone with information on his location, or information on the incidents, is asked to contact investigators. The accused is urged to seek legal advice and turn himself in.
WANTED:
Kurt EDWARDS, 43, of no fixed address
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.
Update:
On October 21, 2020 the York Regional Police issued the following statement:
Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit and the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau are thanking the community after an arrest was made in a series of hate-motivated incidents in the City of Vaughan. In September, a member of the public contacted police after a stranger began yelling anti-Semitic remarks at him while he was driving his vehicle, in the area of New Westminster Drive and Steeles Avenue. When the victim began filming him, the suspect approached and attempted to assault him. On October 18, 2020, with help from the community and media, investigators received tips and information leading to the arrest of Kurt EDWARDS and a further six incidents were identified and connected to the same suspect. The incidents, in the Mullen Drive neighbourhood, involved hate-motivated graffiti, referencing both the Black and Jewish communities. CHARGED: Kurt EDWARDS, 43, of no fixed address.
CHARGES: Mischief to Property Under $5,000 x 7. Assault. Fail to Comply with Probation Order
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