Man wanted for pulling wigs off Orthodox Jewish women

Los Angeles police are searching for a man suspected of pulling wigs off Orthodox Jewish women in incidents that investigators say are possible hate crimes.

Orthodox Jewish women often wear wigs, scarfs or hats to cover their hair as a symbol of modesty.

READ MORE: Thousands #ShowUpForShabbat around the world in solidarity with Pittsburgh shooting victims

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Officials Wednesday say an 80-year-old woman had her wig snatched from her head on a North Hollywood street on Sept. 19, which was the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Police say the man then smiled and handed back the wig.

Police say the same day, the man tried to pull the wig from a 36-year-old woman in the same neighborhood and this week, he ripped the wig from a 58-year-old woman and tossed it on the ground.

READ MORE: Canada apologizes for turning away Jewish refugees in 1939 — why that matters

Police say the man could face charges of battery.