A Vancouver Police investigation has led to charges against a man in relation to hateful graffiti that was discovered on the Chinese Cultural Centre last year. Police are asking for the public’s help to locate the suspect, who is now wanted on a B.C.-wide warrant.

“It has been a tough year for the East Asian community,” said Constable Tania Visintin on Wednesday. “We want to reassure the community that our investigators are working tirelessly to hold people responsible for these hate crimes.”

Yves Castonguay, 47, was charged on March 30 for one count of public incitement of hatred and one count of mischief to property. He failed to attend his court date and is now wanted for arrest.

“Vancouver Police saw a 717 per cent increase in crimes that contained an element of hate, bias, and prejudice last year, with people of East Asian descent being the primary targets,” said Visintin. “The criminal charge for public incitement of hatred is a serious, specific charge that is rarely used. We are pleased that investigators were able to secure it.”

It is alleged that Castonguay walked into the courtyard of the Chinese Cultural Centre, located on Keefer Street in Chinatown, on the afternoon of April 2, 2020, and wrote disturbing, racist remarks targeting the East Asian community on four large glass windows.

Anyone who sees Castonguay or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call police.  VPD strongly urges those victimized by a hate crime or those who are a witness to a hate crime to call 9-1-1.