Suspected Hate-Motivated Robbery Investigation, Danforth Avenue and Warden Avenue area, Man Arrested

Unit:

Case #: 2024-263675

Published: Thursday, February 8, 2024, 7:00 AM

The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of an arrest made in a suspected hate-motivated Robbery investigation.

On Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 1:47 p.m., Toronto Police received a call for a Robbery in the Danforth Avenue and Warden Avenue area.

It is alleged that:

• the accused entered a store and began making anti-Muslim comments toward an employee
• a customer approached the accused, telling him to stop bothering the employee
• the accused then started making anti-Muslim comments toward the customer
• the accused assaulted the customer, causing her to fall to the ground
• once she fell, the accused grabbed her cell phone and fled the store

Through investigation, officers were able to identify the accused as Tim Rogers, 49, of Toronto.

He was arrested and charged with:

1. Robbery with Violence
2. two counts Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10 a.m., in room 103.

This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.

If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.

Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General's consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time.