Suspect in vandalism of Pointe-Saint-Charles mosque nabbed by police
48-year-old Sylvain Gingras arrested in Montreal's Southwest borough Wednesday night
Montreal police have arrested 48-year-old Sylvain Gingras in connection with the vandalizing of a mosque in Pointe-Saint-Charles last week.
Gingras was taken into custody Wednesday evening in Montreal's Southwest borough after officers responded to a domestic violence call, police said.
He has been charged in connection with that incident, but police believe he's also linked to the vandalism at the Khadijah Masjid Islamic Centre on Centre Street.
Police said they received a tip about the suspect from a member of the public after security camera footage of the vandalism incident was released Wednesday.
The mosque had a window broken and eggs thrown at it on Feb. 2. A funeral service for three victims of the Quebec City mosque attack was held later that same day elsewhere in Montreal.
Gingras was interviewed by the police hate-related incidents unit and is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to face charges of mischief relating to religious property.
He appeared in Quebec Court by videoconference today to face charges of assault and uttering threats in connection with the domestic violence incident. He was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Police told Radio-Canada that Gingras is known to them.