Possible Hate Crime Under Investigation By Virginia State Police

Arlington VA

08 May, 2021

2:21 PM

Description

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington County Police are asking the public's help in identifying a man who they say assaulted an employee at a Crystal City restaurant on Tuesday, according to a police release. Virginia State Police are also investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Officers responded around 5:45 p.m., for the report of an assault in the 500 block of 23rd Street S. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had left the restaurant without paying his tab. Two employees followed the man outside and asked that he return to the restaurant to settle the bill, but the the man continued walking away. When one of the employees started recording the man on a cellphone, the man shoved the other employee to the ground and the fled in the direction of Richmond Highway. The employee who was assaulted did not require medical treatment. During their investigation, detectives from ACPD's Homicide/Robbery Unit learned that the suspect had used racial slurs against the employees, an Asian man and woman. ACPD notified the Virginia State Police, who are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Police described the suspect as a white man, in his late 20s to early 30s. He had dark brown hair, a light brown beard, stood approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-11 tall, and weighed between 150-160 pounds. At the time of the incident, he was wearing square rimmed glasses, headphones, a black T-shirt, gray and black sweatpants, and black sneakers. Police ask anyone who can identify the suspect or has information about this case to contact the Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4180 or [email protected]. Anonymous information may be submitted via the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Arlington police are looking for a man they say assaulted a restaurant employee Tuesday night. (Arlington County Police Department)