A 28-year-old Toronto man arrested in a suspected Islamic hate-motivated incident at a Markham mosque last month has also been charged by Toronto Police Service following incidents at two Scarborough mosques and at a mall on the same day.
On April 6 between 5:30 and 6 a.m., Toronto Police responded to calls for service at two Scarborough mosques in the Lawrence Avenue East and Markham Road and Lawrence Avenue East and Midland Avenue areas, according to a Toronto Police news release.
A suspect operating a dark-coloured vehicle entered the mosque parking lots, attempting to hit worshippers and other vehicles, police said.
Following those incidents, a suspect harassed and threatened several customers at Scarborough Town Centre, shouting anti-Islamic and derogatory comments, police said.
Sharan Karunakaran was charged May 3 with:
- two counts of Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- two counts of Assault with a Weapon
- five counts of Criminal Harassment
- Uttering Threats of Bodily Harm
- Assault
- Indecent Exhibition in Public Place
- Commit an Indecent Act with Intent to Insult/Offend Another
York Regional Police charged him on April 7 in relation to a separate incident at a mosque in Markham on April 6.
Witnesses had reported that a male suspect drove his vehicle directly at a worshipper and yelled threats and religious slurs. The suspect drove dangerously in the parking lot before leaving the property, police said.
Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police are working together on this investigation.
Karunakaran is currently in custody in York Region pending a bail hearing, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3506, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
