Two men are facing charges after an incident at a Bloomingdale grocery store where an Israeli flag was defaced. Tabshir Rizvi, 23, of Bloomingdale, and Mohammed Faroun, 22, of Hoffman Estates, allegedly spray-painted "FREE GAZA" on the flag at Woodman's Food Market late last month, an act the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office is treating as a hate crime.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the suspects are accused of using red spray paint to mar the flag in the store's international food aisle around 11:25 p.m. on June 24. The subsequent investigation by local police led to the identification of the pair, with Faroun surrendering to authorities on Tuesday and Rizvi on Wednesday afternoon, both were released on personal recognizance.
In response to the charges, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin was quoted by CBS News Chicago saying, "Hate crimes, such as alleged in this case, not only affect the intended target, but can also have a devastating effect on entire communities." Berlin reiterated the county's position as a welcoming community that does not tolerate hate or prejudice.
Each of the accused faces two counts of hate crime, a Class 4 felony, in addition to misdemeanor charges of criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct. The arraignment for the pair is scheduled for August 13, when they will appear before Judge Daniel Guerin, as per FOX 32 Chicago.
