Suspect charged in alleged hate-motivated crime

A man sought in connection with an incident in which a woman from a racialized community was threatened earlier this month has come forward to police.

Matthew RYAN, 30, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of uttering threats. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

Any evidence of hate motivation is considered by the courts after a person is found guilty of the connected crime. If the judge decides that hate/bias was a motivation during the commission of the offence, this is considered as an aggravating factor during the sentencing of an accused person.

Original release below.

Police seek help in identifying a suspect in hate-motivated crime

We are asking the public for their help in identifying a man who is believed to be responsible for uttering threats to a woman from a racialized community earlier this month.

On Sunday, June 13, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the woman went to retrieve a package from the front desk of the lobby at her residence, located in the 700 block of Third Avenue S.W. After picking up the package, she was approached by an unknown man who uttered a racial insult to her. The victim confronted the man, who then threatened to physically harm her and then fled the area on a red bicycle, traveling east towards Sixth Street S.W.

The suspect is described as approximately 25 years old, 5’10’’ with a slim build, wearing a black baseball hat and riding a red bike.

Photos of the suspect are available on the City of Calgary Newsroom.

We are looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information about the man believed to be involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously through the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

Case #21222627