NEPEAN – After a six-day investigation, Ottawa police have arrested a suspect in a potentially hate motivated crime at Algonquin College on Jan. 31.

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Hate Crime Section has charged a man after an investigation into the vandalizing of an Indigenous painting at Algonquin College on Jan. 28,” the OPS released in a statement yesterday (Feb. 1) “A man was arrested by frontline patrol officers today at Algonquin College.”

Safy Benaissa, 32-years-old, has been charged with one count of mischief over $5,000. Any evidence to support hate motivation is presented during sentencing.

The Hate Crime Section continues to investigate and thanks the public for its assistance. The OPS also thanks Algonquin Security Services personnel for their assistance in this investigation.