LOMBARD, Ill. — A 34-year-old man will remain in custody after he was charged with a hate crime stemming from an incident at a bakery Friday night in west suburban Lombard, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
Justin Ward of Lombard is charged with one count of a hate crime, a Class 4 felony, as well as one count of aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony, after allegedly shouting slurs at a man in the parking lot of Crave Cookies, 217 East Roosevelt Road, before following the man inside, where Ward allegedly spit at him and assaulted him.
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Authorities say Lombard police officers responded to Crave Cookies around 9:15 p.m. Friday for a reported disturbance. According to authorities, a person later identified as Ward began shouting at the victim in the parking lot. After the victim ignored Ward and went inside the bakery, Ward allegedly followed him.
Once inside, authorities say Ward began yelling at the victim, saying “(expletive) Iran,” “this is America” and “I can’t (expletive) stand you Indians,” before allegedly spitting on the victim and hitting him in the neck and chest.
According to authorities, Ward then followed the victim out to the victim’s car before allegedly fleeing the scene when he heard police sirens. Officers subsequently located Ward at his home a short time later and arrested him…