NJ Man Smashes Taco Shop Window With Rock, Picks Up Bias Charge, Police Say

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ — A local man has been arrested and charged after police said he threw a rock through the front door and side window of a Mexican restaurant and made statements indicating bias as a motivation for the crime.

Hassan K. Hill, 26, of Robbinsville, was charged with bias intimidation and criminal mischief after Robbinsville Police were called to the Taco Rito on Route 33 around 8 p.m. on Saturday.

According to police, multiple 911 calls were made reporting that a man, dressed in all black clothing and wearing a black face mask with a white skull design, had thrown a rock through the front door and side window of Taco Rito.

In an online post from the restaurant, Taco Rito said someone hit their window with a rock twice in one night, and that it’s the second time this has happened to them in three weeks.

Once officers arrived at the restaurant on Saturday, they spoke with witnesses who provided descriptions of the suspect, canvassed the surrounding area and used their drone to try and find the suspect, though they were initially unsuccessful.

Around an hour and a half later, a Robinsville Police Communications Officer saw a person matching the suspect’s description walking in the area of Route 33 and North Commerce Square while they were monitoring township traffic cameras.

Patrol units then responded to the area and detained the suspect, who was identified as Hill.

During questioning, police said Hill admitted to throwing the rock and made statements “indicating bias motivation.”

According to a report from NJ Advance Media, Hill allegedly said that the employees of Taco Rito are Hispanic, he doesn’t believe they belong there, and that they should go somewhere else or “go home.” He also allegedly said someone should call ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

From there, the Bias Crime Unit of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office was notified, and a warrant complaint was authorized, police said. Hill was brought to the Mercer County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.

“The Robbinsville Township Police Department is committed to protecting our community, fostering trust, and preventing bias incidents of any kind,” Robbinsville Police said in an online statement. “We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences a potential bias-related incident to contact our department immediately.”

On Monday, Taco Rito posted that their Robbinsville location was reopening following the incident and asked customers to forgive their appearance, as they’re currently trying to get their window and door fixed.

“They have caught the person who vandalized our store multiple times. The person has been charged with a hate crime and will be put in jail,” the restaurant's statement said. “Please forgive our appearance right now as we’re trying to get the window and door fixed as soon as possible.”

“Thank you to the Robbinsville Police Department for their hard work and quick response to the situation.”