A 38-year-old Scugog man faces several charges after a reported Port Perry hate-motivated incident at Palmer Park.
Durham Regional Police said officers were called to the waterfront park on August 30 after receiving reports that a man was swinging a baseball bat at people. The suspect had left before officers arrived.
Witnesses reported threats and racial slurs
Investigators interviewed witnesses and reviewed video footage. Police allege the man made threats while yelling racial slurs during the incident.
DRPS said North Division officers identified a suspect through the investigation. On September 10, North Division members and the Tactical Support Unit attended the man’s residence and made an arrest.
The police service’s Hate Crime and Extremism Unit and Intelligence Operations Unit later executed a search warrant at the residence. Police said several items connected with the alleged offences were seized, but did not describe them in the release.
Three hate-motivated charges laid
Police charged Lucca Downey, 38, of Scugog with assault with a weapon motivated by hatred, uttering threats motivated by hatred and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public motivated by hatred.
The accused was held for a bail hearing. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
Police released a photograph because investigators are concerned there may be other victims. Anyone with information about the Palmer Park occurrence or a similar incident is being asked to contact the DRPS Hate Crime and Extremism Unit.
Anonymous information can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers.
