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Charges laid in second hate-motivated incident in Aurora, police say

Police continue to investigate an earlier incident at the same crosswalk in which a truck was seen leaving skid marks on the same crosswalk

NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Unit and the #1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a man after he was seen spray painting a rainbow crosswalk in the Town of Aurora.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at 3:20 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Yonge Street and Wellington Road spotted a man using black spray paint to damage a Pride rainbow crosswalk. The man was placed under arrest and has been charged.

Charged:

  • Roy Zinn, 57, Aurora

Charge:

  • Mischief

Mr. Zinn has been released and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice on Dec. 1, 2020.

Investigators continue to appeal for information on another incident that occurred on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, when York Regional Police received a report from staff with the Town of Aurora regarding a suspected hate crime incident following the unveiling of the new rainbow crosswalk located at Yonge Street and Wellington Road. Officers learned that just before midnight on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, a pick-up truck drove over the crosswalk and left black tire skid marks over the rainbow area then returned a short time later and left some more. Investigators believe that the marks were done intentionally and this is being investigated as a hate-motivated incident. An additional photo of the suspect vehicle is being released.

Suspect Vehicle:

  • Light-coloured pickup truck

Investigators are asking any witnesses, anyone with information or anyone with dashcam or video surveillance footage in that area, to please come forward.

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.

Anyone with information can contact the York Regional Police #1 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866- 876-5423, ext. 7141, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

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