Turban removal investigated as possible hate crime in Vancouver

Vancouver police are investigating a possible hate crime after a security guard was allegedly assaulted and had his turban removed outside a fast-food restaurant near Main Street and 2nd Avenue.

Police say security guards approached a man who was panhandling outside the restaurant at about 9 a.m. Tuesday and asked him to leave. During the interaction, the man allegedly threw a cup, pushed a guard and made racist remarks about the guard's ethnicity and religion.

The suspect then allegedly struck the guard and removed the guard's turban before leaving, police said.

Investigators believe the same man then robbed another person nearby. Police allege he demanded money, struck the victim in the head after receiving cash and demanded more.

Officers located a suspect at a nearby home and arrested him without incident. No charges had been laid, but police said they planned to recommend assault and robbery charges.