Sunnyvale: Man arrested on suspicion of violent hate crime

SUNNYVALE – Sunnyvale authorities over the weekend arrested a 29-year-old man on suspicion of a violent hate crime.

The incident was reported around 10:50 a.m. Sunday at Lakewood Park at 834 Lakechime Drive, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety said in a statement Wednesday.

Authorities said an investigation revealed the suspect confronted the victim, who was exercising in the park, and told him to “go back to your country” and “keep walking.”

The suspect then punched the victim half a dozen times, authorities said. During the attack, the victim dropped his cellphone, which the suspect picked up before leaving the park, authorities said.

Authorities said the victim suffered minor injuries, which did not require medical attention.

Officers arrested the suspect near the park and booked him into Santa Clara County jail on hate crime, robbery, battery and elder abuse charges, authorities said.

“Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety is firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of all persons to be free of fear, intimidation and acts of violence,” Chief Phan Ngo said in a statement.

“Hate is abhorrent,” he continued. “It has no place in a civil society and will not be tolerated. We will do everything we can to support our victim and hold the suspect accountable.”

Anyone with information related to the case can call the public safety department at 408-730-7110.