Crime & Safety
Petaluma Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Committing Hate Crime
The alleged incident at Novato Fair Shopping Center was reported by the victim just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.
NOVATO, CA — A North Bay man was arrested in connection with a vandalism incident Saturday that local authorities are investigating as a hate crime, The Marin Independent Journal reports.
Robert Lynn Thorne III, 39, of Petaluma, was arrested on suspicion of committing a felony hate crime along with several misdemeanor charges, according to the report.
The alleged incident at Novato Fair Shopping Center was reported by the victim just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.
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The victim, who is Black, told authorities that she was sitting in her car when Thorne, who is white, made a racist comment and spat on her vehicle’s hood, the report said.
After the victim asked Thorne why he spat on her car, he continued making racist comments and kicked her car door twice, causing some property damage, police said.
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