Montreal police ask for public's help identifying hate crime suspect

The Montreal police service's hate crimes unit is asking the public for help identifying a man who allegedly committed hate crimes against three women downtown on March 9.

In a news release, the Service de police de la Ville de Montral (SPVM) says the incident occurred at around 5:15 p.m., at the intersection of Ste-Catherine and St-Andr streets in the Ville-Marie borough.

Three Muslim women exiting a store were verbally and physicallyassaulted by an individual, who slapped them in the face,the release says.

Bystanders intervened and the suspect fled on foot into the Berri-UQAM Metro station.

Police describe the suspect as Black, aged between 30 and 40 and standing about six foot one. He is estimated to weigh about 200 pounds.

At the time of theincident, he had a beard and was wearing a black hooded coat, a grey jacket, dark blue jeans and a black cap.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or contact their local police station. People can also make a report confidentially through Info-Crime Montral's website or by calling 514-393-1133.