ON Sunday, August 4 at approximately 10 p.m., New Westminster Police received a report of an assault inside a fast food restaurant in the 500-block of 6th Street. Officers learned from the victim that she had been spat on by an unknown female suspect.

The suspect is described as 55 years old, with dark brown straight shoulder length hair, wearing a black and white top. At the time of the assault the suspect had a shopping cart. Based on the initial investigation, this matter is being investigated as a possible hate crime given the victim was wearing a hijab and based on comments the suspect made towards the victim.

New Westminster Police officers have informed the Provincial Hate Crimes Unit of the investigation. Police are attempting to obtain video surveillance of the incident.

Police are asking for witnesses to come forward.

“We’re hoping somebody can help us identify the suspect, so we can find out what the motivation was behind the assault,” said Staff-Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “We’d like to extend our thanks to the staff at the restaurant who came to the aid of the victim and assisted her in calling police.”

The New Westminster Police Department requests anyone who witnessed the incident to call 604-525-5411.