Toronto police seek public’s assistance in hate-related Baycrest vandalism case

Security camera footage of a man who's being sought by Toronto police, in relation vandalism at Baycrest hospital. TORONTO POLICE SERVICE PHOTO

The Toronto Police Service is seeking assistance identifying a man involved in a hate-motivated mischief investigation.

According to a news release, police are investigating a report that a man – described as 5-8, 160 lb., medium build, with short, red hair – entered Baycrest Health Sciences at 3560 Bathurst St. on the night of May 30.

Security camera footage caught the man entering the Morris and Sally Justein Heritage Museum, where he removed two photographs from the display wall, vandalized them and threw them to the ground. He also left “a derogatory message” in the comment book, before leaving the building.

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Toronto Police spokesperson Const. Caroline de Kloet said police – who released a security camera image of the man on June 10, in the hopes that someone will recognize and identify him – said they still don’t have any more details.

“The case in open and investigators are actively working on it,” de Kloet said. “Anyone who can identify the man is asked to contact police.”

Martin Green, security manager at Baycrest Health Sciences, said “This is a very uncommon and isolated incident at Baycrest. The security department at Baycrest has increased patrols of all areas of the campus. Additionally, the organization utilizes a variety of security measures, including closed circuit television, access control, visitor management, and security patrols performed by uniformed security guards.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-3200, call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS, visit 222tips.com or text TOR and a message to CRIMES (274637).