A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a “hate-motivated” mischief to property investigation in Toronto, police say.
In a press release, Toronto police said on Feb 7 at 7 p.m, and Feb 8, at 5:45 p.m., a man wen to the area of North Queen Street and the East Mall.
Police said the man allegedly spray painted anti-Ukrainian slogans on a mural, causing approximately $25,000 worth of damage.
The banner was hung at Future Bakery in Etobicoke.
Weeks later, police said on Feb. 26 at around 8 p.m., a man attended the same area and allegedly tore off portions of the banner.
Two days later at around 3:30 a.m., police said a man allegedly defaced the banner by splashing black paint on it.
On March 4, just before 12 a.m., police said a man attended the area with what appeared to be a jar in his hand. “The man approached the parking lot of the establishment and threw the jar against the wall,” the release said.
Police said another incident occurred at 10:22 p.m., on March 6, when a man attended the area and allegedly used a hockey stick with a blade attached to the end and “cut the banner in several sections.”
According to police, on Wednesday at around 12:26 a.m., the man returned to the area and was allegedly carrying a long pole in his right hand which had a knife attached to the end.
Officers said the man returned to his vehicle.
Police said 39-year-old Andrey Malyshev from Toronto was arrested on Wednesday.
According to police, after consultation with the force’s specialized hate crime unit, the incidents are being treated as “hate-motivated.”
He has been charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, mischief to property over $5,000 and four counts of mischief to property under $5,000.
Malyshev appeared in court on the morning of March 10. He was released on a $250 recognizance from Toronto South Detention Centre.
Malyshev was ordered to not go within 500 metres of any future bakery. He is not allowed to have any indirect or direct contact with employees and is not allowed to possess weapons.
— With files from Global News’ Catherine McDonald