Toronto police arrested three people, including a woman in her 70s, following an incident of vandalism in Leslieville. The force is also on the lookout for a fourth suspect who is alleged to be involved.
Stencilled messages related to the conflict in the Middle East were spray painted on sidewalks and other city property, including planters and construction signs, along the stretch of Queen Street East near Jimmy Simpson Park.
Several of the messages read "F--k Gaza." Some had the profanity covered up by purple spray paint by Thursday evening, while at least one did not.
The other messages were related to the Oct. 7 attacks or referenced Israeli hostages kidnapped that day. One read "Long Live Israel."
All of the messages used stylized lettering resembling the Hebrew alphabet and were painted in blue, the colour of the Israeli flag.
Police said they were called about the vandalism just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday. A spokesperson told TorontoToday the vandalism was also found on garbage cans and bike locks.
Robert Walker, 39, Noam Lamdan, 54, and Brenda Hoffman, 71, of Toronto are each charged with 17 counts of mischief to property under $5,000.
All three are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Armoury Street in January.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused are considered innocent unless proven guilty.
The outstanding suspect is male and described as about 4’8” tall with a skinny build. He was last seen wearing a winter coat and riding a two-wheel kick scooter, police said.
Anyone with information was being asked to contact police at 416-808-3500, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or www.222tips.com.
