Posted on Thursday June 05, 2025
York Regional Police would like to thank the public and members of the media for their assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a series of hate-motivated graffiti incidents in the City of Richmond Hill.
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, officers responded to a call regarding hate-related graffiti on the exterior wall of a grocery store located in a plaza near Yonge Street and 16th Avenue. That same day, three additional businesses within the plaza reported similar graffiti, all containing anti-Iranian messages.
A fourth incident was later reported at a nearby bus terminal in the area of Yonge Street and Highway 7.
Following media coverage of the incidents, a member of the public recognized the suspect and contacted police. As a result, the suspect has been identified and charged.
Charged:
- Alexsandr GAVRUTENKO, 28, of No Fixed Address
Charges:
- Mischief Under $5,000 x4
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x2
- Fail to Comply with Court Order
At the time of his arrest, GAVRUTENKO was on probation and a court order for previous unrelated charges.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Hate Crime Prevention Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6552. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or by visiting www.1800222tips.com.
Crime prevention is our shared responsibility: Find up-to-date crime data in York Region on the Community Safety Data Portal, or become a partner in community safety by signing up for the Security Camera Registry today.
Prepared by: Constable Lisa Moskaluk
June 5, 2025
25-175558 / 175777 / 175485 / 175741
