Man, 56, faces mischief charges after rocks allegedly thrown at windows of East York church

A Toronto man is facing multiple charges in connection to a suspected hate-motivated mischief investigation in the Cosburn Avenue and Pape Avenue area.

According to police, a man was near a church in the area on Friday, July 24, and allegedly threw a rock through a window, causing damage to religious property.

Police said he allegedly returned to the same church on Friday, July 31, and again threw a rock through a window, causing further damage. Police alleged he returned a third time on Saturday, Aug. 1, when officers observed him throw another rock through a window of the same church.

He was arrested at the scene, police said in a news release on the afternoon of Aug. 1.

Khaliq Hussain Anwar, 56, of Toronto, has been arrested and charged with three counts of mischief relating to religious property.

According to the police news release of Aug. 1:

“When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation is led by the Hate Crime Unit (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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3505, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or online at https://www.222tips.com