NH Man Who Yanked Woman's Hijab Arrested: Police

MANCHESTER, NH — A New Hampshire man and former solider who earned a Bronze Star was arrested Wednesday and charged with assault after police said he yanked a woman's hijab for no apparent reason as she ate lunch at a Manchester restaurant. Robert Carrigg, 45, of Hooksett, turned himself in on a warrant, according to Manchester police Lieutenant Brian O'Keefe.

The alleged incident happened at The Farm restaurant the afternoon of June 22.

"The victim stated she was seated at a table with her co-workers ... when an unknown man walked past her and pulled on her hijab," Manchester police said in a statement. "The man did not say anything to her prior to the incident, but pulled on the hijab long enough to cause discomfort to her chin and head. The man released the hijab and walked toward the bar, but left the area when confronted by her co-workers."

A hijab is a cloth hair covering worn by Muslim women in public.

Carrigg was released on $1,000 bond pending an arraignment in Manchester District Court August 16. Carrigg owns Carrigg Commercial Builders based in Manchester. He is a former sergeant with the Rhode Island Army National Guard and was awarded the Bronze Star in 2007 for valor in Iraq, according to Providence Business News.

"(Carrigg) and his team were responsible for the apprehension of a suspected cell of Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) Anti-Iraq Forces through the application of offensive terrain denial operations along a stretch of terrain which had previously been plagued with IED/VBIED incidents," the publication wrote, adding Carrigg went on to work for the Blackwater private military company.

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Photo credit: Manchester Police Department