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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.