Have you seen this man? Winnipeg police investigating hate graffiti along Pembina Highway
Winnipeg police are looking for a man in connection to a string of businesses along Pembina Highway hit with hateful graffiti including swastikas last week.
On Thursday, police said at least 10 businesses along Pembina Highway were vandalized between midnight and 4 a.m. on July 22.
"The real concerning nature of this is that the graffiti was swastikas – consistent in all cases," said Const. Rob Carver.
"I think everyone is attuned to how hateful and how dangerous graffiti of this type can be."
Carver said there is no underlying theme that links swastikas or hate graffiti to the businesses that were vandalized. He said the businesses appear to be a random selection.
Tehran Cafe spray-painted with swastikas on Wednesday. July 21,2021. (Source: Paul Clerkin/Twitter)
Tehran Cafe spray-painted with swastikas. (Source: Paul Clerkin/Twitter)
Hate crime investigators from Winnipeg police's major crimes unit are investigating the vandalism.
"At the moment it is being investigated as a potential hate crime because it is swastikas," Carver said.
"When you've got 10 businesses along a major thoroughfare that are all tagged with a swastika, that certainly crosses a threshold where we need to look at it as someone trying to send a hate message – whether or not it is a hate crime is still yet to be determined."
A man who appears to be in his 20s or 30s was caught on surveillance video spray-painting a window of a store in the area.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:
Police said the man was wearing lime-green shorts, a plaid shirt, along with a red and white cap. Police said he also had a distinct black gym bag slung across his body.
Hate Crimes investigators are asking for the public's help to identify the man.
Carver said spray paint vandalism of any kind is considered a property crime, but police devote much more resources when there is graffiti that could be a hate crime.
"There is an element that is much more concerning – it comes with risks that are beyond simple property damage," Carver said.
Any other businesses that were hit with graffiti, or have video surveillance, are asked to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219, or leave an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers by calling 204-786-8477.
The full list of businesses that police said were hit with the graffiti include:
- a bank in the 1300 block of Pembina Highway;
- a church in the 1700 block of Pembina Highway;
- a gift shop in the 1800 block of Pembina Highway;
- a cafe in the 1800 block of Pembina Highway;
- a supermarket in the 1800 block of Pembina Highway;
- a medical centre in the 2000 block of Pembina Highway;
- a law firm in the 2100 block of Pembina Highway;
- a drugstore in the 2200 block of Pembina Highway;
- a medical centre in the 2300 block of Pembina Highway; and
- a hair salon in the 2800 block of Pembina Highway.
-With files from CTV’s Devon McKendrick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.