Investigators with the York Regional Police Hate Crime Prevention Unit are investigating a series of incidents involving hate-motivated graffiti that occurred along Yonge Street in the City of Richmond Hill.

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, police were called to a plaza in the area of Yonge Street and 16^th Avenue for reports of hate-related graffiti on the exterior wall of a grocery store. That day, three other businesses within the plaza reported anti-Iranian graffiti spray painted on the exterior walls of their premises. A fourth incident was later reported at a bus terminal near Yonge Street and Highway 7.

Through investigation, it’s believed a lone male suspect moved along Yonge Street in the early hours of Saturday morning, spray-painting hate-motivated messages at various locations.

Investigators believe the same suspect is responsible for all four incidents.

Suspect description:

• Male, white
• 5’10, thin build, approximately 160 Lbs.
• Short brown hair
• Left-handed
• Wearing a green long-sleeve button shirt, skinny blue jeans with acid wash-effect on thighs and black shoes

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Hate Crime Prevention Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6552. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or by visiting www.1800222tips.com.

Crime prevention is our shared responsibility: Find up-to-date crime data in York Region on the Community Safety Data Portal, or become a partner in community safety by signing up for the Security Camera Registry today.

Prepared by:   Constable Lisa Moskaluk

                        June 2, 2025

                        25-175558 / 175777 / 175485 / 175741