York cops step up patrols after 2 hate incidents in Vaughan

Article content

York Regional Police will be stepping up community patrols and awareness campaigns after two separate hate incidents in Vaughan over the last week.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Police said officers responded to the first incident Thursday in the Bathurst St.-Major Mackenzie Dr. W. area after reports of antisemitic graffiti. They said a swastika that had been spray-painted on a sidewalk was found by investigators and removed.

Article content

Article content

There was no description of any suspects as investigators urged anyone who may have information about the incident or video footage to call 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6552.

In the second incident, police said they were also made aware Saturday of a social media video filmed outside of an elementary school in Vaughan. While police offered no details about the content of the video, they said “no threats were made and there is no concern for public safety.

“York Regional Police is aware of the increased concern within the community as a result of these two incidents,” Const. James Dickson said in a statement from police. “While both incidents will be fully investigated, they remain unrelated to one another and are being investigated as separate incidents.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

COPS PROBE SHOOTING ON HAMILTON MOUNTAIN

Two men suffered serious injuries in a shooting early Sunday on Hamilton Mountain.

Article content

Hamilton Police said they responded to a shooting Sunday at about 2 a.m. in the Upper James St.-Jameston Ave. area, where two adult males were found with gunshot wounds and transported to a hospital.

Article content

The injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

Police said they are trying to track down a black SUV that was seen fleeing the scene and asked that residents and businesses on Upper James between Hester St. and the Lincoln Alexander Pkwy. check their surveillance cameras for the SUV or any other suspicious activity between 1:45 a.m. and 2 a.m.

Anyone with information can contact police at 905-546-4883.

SUSPECT SOUGHT AFTER EAST-END ROBBERY SPREE

Police are on the hunt for a suspect accused of robbing people at knifepoint last week in the city’s east end.

Toronto Police said they responded to three robbery calls Thursday between 7:22 a.m. and 10:44 a.m. in the Chapman Ave.-Dawes Rd. area of East York.

Police said that in all three incidents, a man approached the victim on foot, brandished a knife, made a demand for cash and fled. None of the victims sustained physical injuries.

The suspect is a man in his early 20s who is about 6-foot with a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black/brown hoodie with the hood up and a black ski mask. He was also carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information can contact police at 416-808-5500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.

Article content