Toronto police are investigating two “suspected hate-motivated” incidents that occurred at two separate North York synagogues early Sunday morning.
Shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday, police received a call that someone had thrown rocks through the windows of a synagogue near the street. Bathurst and the walk Dewlanesaid the Toronto Police Service in a press release.
30 minutes later, someone threw a stone into the window of another synagogue, near Avenue Bayview and the road Fifeshireaccording to the police.
In both cases, the suspect fled on a motorcycle, police said. Investigators believe the same person is responsible for both incidents.
Open in full screen mode
The suspect was riding a motorcycle, according to the police.
Photo : offers by Toronto Police
Police said the suspect is between 170cm and 178cm (5′ 7″ and 5′ 10″) tall. He was wearing a light-coloured jacket and a black helmet with a visor at the time of the incident, they added.
Steven Bloompresident of the synagogue Pride of Israelwho was first targeted Sunday morning, said people discovered the broken windows around 8:30 a.m.
It’s very sad
he said. Our members are very resilient and have not interrupted services.
Police did not identify the synagogues by name, but a synagogue in the second area described in the statement has been the subject of two other hate crime investigations since April.
The windows of the Kehillat Shaarei Torah Synagogue were smashed on May 18, following a similar incident in April.
The investigation is treated as a alleged hate crime
police said, and residents can expect an increased police presence in both areas.
In front of the synagogue Pride of Israel Sunday afternoon, the provincial deputy of Thornhill, Laura Smithdescribed these acts asterrible
.I find this deeply disturbing
she said. Tomorrow is Canada Day, and now people in our community are facing this very destructive, disturbing and hateful behaviour.
With information from CBC
