Long Beach Police are in need of assistance in identifying a man who was involved in an apparent hate crime earlier in July.
On Wednesday, July 2, around 4:30 in the shopping center of the 4000 block of Atlantic Avenue, a 32-year-old female victim was attacked by the unknown suspect. Her car was parked west of the shopping center, adjacent to the alley that runs north and south of the shopping center. She was wearing a black hijab, which is a cover worn by Muslim women to cover and conceal their hair and neck.
According to the report, the victim was loading items she had bought into her car when she was attacked from behind by the man. He took a hold of the victim’s cover, calling it a hijab, which indicated he had some knowledge about the Muslim culture. He was twisting and pulling the hijab, which choked the victim, and gave her scratches and abrasions around her neck. After he finally got the hijab off of the victim, he walked south of the alley, with the hijab in his hand.
The victim was able to identify the characteristics of the suspect. He is reportedly is a white male in his 30’s, about 5’9″, thin with brown hair and brown eyes. The victim also reported that he had a trimmed beard and mustache. He was wearing a white buttoned-up shirt, black pants, and possibly black shoes.
Based on the circumstances, the Long Beach PD are investigating this as a hate crime. They are hoping that someone in the shopping center was a witness and can provide additional information about the suspect.
Anyone with further information should contact the Long Beach P.D. at (562) 570-7250.
