Police launch gender-based hate crime investigation after reported assault 

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Police Department announced Tuesday it has launched an investigation into a hate crime involving an unknown suspect who allegedly “made derogatory comments about the victim’s gender identity,” according to a statement from the department. An unnamed individual reported the assault two days after it happened on Aug. 19 and described the suspect as a “white male in his mid-20s to early 30s with black curly hair,” the statement said. The suspect, who was last seen riding a black bicycle with wide tires and rounded handlebars, made the comments Aug. 17 around 2:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Cascadilla Street. He then reportedly dismounted the bicycle and physically assaulted the victim. He was wearing black sweatpants and a light-colored T-shirt, police said. In an email to The Ithaca Voice, IPD Captain Ted Schwartz said the department was investigating the situation as a hate crime “due to the statements the suspect made to the victim prior to and during the incident.” Schwartz said the department is not releasing further specifics of the active investigation. Police urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the department through their dispatch, admin, tipline or anonymous email. The post Police launch gender-based hate crime investigation after reported assault  appeared first on The Ithaca Voice.