Peel Regional Police say a man — who appeared in a video yelling racist and anti-mask comments towards T&T Supermarket employees in Mississauga — has turned himself in.
The incident happened on July 5 at the store near Mavis Road and Central Parkway West and was captured in a video posted on YouTube. The video begins with a man appearing to dump several items from a grocery bag onto the floor in protest after an employee asks him to wear a mask while shopping as it is store policy.
Police said 48-year-old John McCash, wanted for a hate crime, turned himself into investigators at 11 Division in Mississauga on Thursday.
McCash was served with a Summons to turn himself in to any Peel Regional Police station. McCash is now charged with causing a disturbance and has a court date set for Sept. 25.
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“Hate-crime incidents have a negative impact on our community and create a ripple effect,” Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said.
“It can increase feelings of vulnerability, anxiety and fear, not only on the individual who has directly been victimized, but also to the community at large. Reporting incidents of hate-crime is essential to stopping these incidents; we are dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all we serve.”
T&T supermarket issued a statement thanking Peel Regional Police for its “swift actions” in relation to the incident.
“We will not tolerate this type of hateful behavior in our workplace, and this individual is no longer welcome at T&T locations or any other Loblaw stores,” the statement read.
The grocery store said for customers who have medical conditions and cannot wear a mask, they can shop online or approach the service desk with a shopping list and an employee can shop for them.
“We acknowledge that wearing a mask can be uncomfortable – we know this because we wear one while working each day. But to us, it is a small discomfort for the bigger benefit of keeping our communities safer,” T&T Supermarket said.
Anyone with additional information was asked to call police at 905-453-2121 ext. 1133 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
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