Suspect wanted after victim assaulted at synagogue in Thornhill

A photo of a suspect wanted in a hate/bias-motivated incident in Thornhill on April 25. (YRP photo)

Police in York Region are searching for a male suspect who allegedly attempted to forced his way into an orthodox synagogue in Thornhill and assaulted a victim before fleeing the scene on Saturday morning.

The incident, which police say is hate/bias motivated, happened around 9:30 a.m. at Sephardic Kehila Centre, 7026 Bathurst St., just north of Steeles Avenue West. This place of worship serves members of the Jewish community who are of Sephardic heritage, descending from Spain and Portugal.

Investigators say the victim was not hurt.

Vaughan’s Mayor Stephen Del Duca said he’s been made aware of the “deeply disturbing assault,” and is in contact with the police and is urging anyone with information to contact them.

“At a time when antisemitism and Jew hatred is on the rise, we must be vigilant and do everything possible to support and protect our Jewish residents. This remains a top priority for me as mayor of Vaughan,” he wrote in a post on X.

York Regional Police’s Hate Crime Unit is investigating.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7441, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.