Police issue 'wanted' poster in attack on Jewish woman
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Published Nov 29, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
Police have put out an image of a suspect wanted for the alleged hate-motivated assault of Olga Goldberg.
Police have put out an image of a suspect wanted for the alleged hate-motivated assault of Olga Goldberg.
It started with an alleged assault over a hostage poster that now has police issuing a wanted poster.
Olga Goldberg was punched and had her poster of a kidnap victim taken by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 ripped up. She was trying to shine some light on the plight of one of those abducted — her daughter’s friend, Mia Schem.
It felt like whoever did this to Olga was going to skate.
A development Wednesday may change that.
Toronto Police have put out a wanted picture of a suspect and are on the hunt for him.
Olga Goldberg was punched in the punch Sunday for merely holding a poster of a female hostage in Gaza who is a friend of her daughter
Olga Goldberg was punched for merely holding a poster of a female hostage in Gaza — a friend of her daughter
“The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of a man wanted in a suspected hate-motivated assault investigation,” police said in a release Wednesday. “The suspect is described as male, 40-60 years old, 5-foot-9, and wearing a black coat, blue baseball hat and a blue medical mask.”
All of this stemmed from an incident at University Ave. and College Street on Oct. 29 when, according to police, “the victim was standing on the sidewalk while observing a demonstration, holding a Canadian flag and a poster of an Israeli hostage” when the suspect, along with four or five other males, allegedly “surrounded and yelled at the victim” and then “proceeded to punch the victim, rip her poster, and stomp on her Canadian flag” before fleeing the scene like rats.
Olga was bloodied. There was a large bruise on her mouth and her eye was bleeding. She was shaken up.
“They ripped the poster in half and also stomped on my Canadian flag,” said Goldberg at the time. “That upset me more than being punched because this is about a 21-year-old girl who is still a hostage.”
It upset a lot of people, including MP Kevin Vuong, MPP Goldie Ghamari and Senate staffer and well known journalist and broadcaster, Jacqui Delaney, who expressed their outrage about it.
They all spoke out about it and Toronto Police stayed on top of it. I give them full credit for their determination in making sure anti-Semites understand it’s not open season on Jewish people or businesses.
You will be caught. Toronto Police have shown that with recent arrests and charges.
Olga Goldberg and MPP Goldie Ghamari at the special Iranian Canadian vigil for peace in Israel Sunday where they called for the release of Israeli hostages
Olga Goldberg and MPP Goldie Ghamari at the special Iranian Canadian vigil for peace in Israel Sunday where they called for the release of Israeli hostages
Now, the next step is to make an arrest of the person who police believe violated both Olga and Mia.
This was anti-Semitism at it’s worst. It was shocking at the time, but we have seen so much more since.
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue have warned protesters that just because you don’t get arrested at the rally or protest, does not mean you are home free.
They have videos and they are going through them. Toronto Police now have 34 officers in the Hate Crimes Unit.
“This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence,” said TPS. “When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation will be led by a divisional investigator. The Hate Crime Unit will be made aware and specialized officers from that unit will support the investigation as needed.”
Olga Goldberg
Olga Goldberg
What’s needed most is for someone who can identify this man to drop a dime to police at 416-808-3500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at
http://222tips.com so he can be arrested and charged.
Olga Goldberg holds up a poster of Gaza hostage Mia, her daughter's friend, who was kidnapped Oct. 7
Olga Goldberg holds up a poster of Gaza hostage Mia, her daughter’s friend, who was kidnapped Oct. 7
With his mug out there for all to see, stay tuned. We just might have another story to write soon.
But even more important to Olga is the well-being of Mia and the other hostages. She said she feels some things are worth taking a punch over — even from a gutless coward who would attack a woman trying to save lives.
But what’s needed now are changes to two posters. One that says “released” and one that says “arrested.”
Stay tuned.
Toronto Crime Stoppers prevents and reduces crime by partnering with the community, law enforcement and the media to offer anonymity and cash rewards to anyone providing information leading to an arrest or of significant use.
222tips.com
It started with an alleged assault over a hostage poster that now has police issuing a wanted poster.
torontosun.com