UPDATE 2: Police Seek Help to Identify Suspect(s) in North Side Case

Published on April 24, 2024

Date: April 24, 2024
Incident Type: Attempt to ID
Location: Zone 1
Summary:

UPDATE 2: Police have arrested Mario Ashkar, 36, in connection with this incident. He is charged with Ethnic Intimidation, Criminal Mischief, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Disorderly Conduct.

UPDATE: Pittsburgh Police would like to thank members of the public for sending in tips on this case. As a result, one of the individuals has been positively identified. The investigation is ongoing. More updates will be provided when information becomes available.

Original post:

Pittsburgh Police plainclothes detectives are asking for the public's help to identify the individual or individuals in these photos (and video in the comments section of the Police Facebook page) in connection with an investigation into ethnic intimidation, harassment, and criminal mischief.

The victim reported four separate incidents that occurred at or around her home in the Mexican War Streets this month. The two most recent incidents occurred on April 19 and April 21, 2024.

On April 19 at 10:24 a.m., the suspect shown in the photos wearing the white sweatshirt, beard, and glasses walks by the house, rips an Israeli flag from the property and throws it in the garbage.

On April 21 at 4 a.m., the suspect dressed in black and wearing a mask, pasted anti-Semitic, pro-Palestine pictures and propaganda all over the front door glass windows. The suspect then spray paints the message "For Blood and Soil" on the entire sidewalk in front of the residence.

Earlier in the month on two separate occasions, the same victim received anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian literature, photos, and a handwritten message in her mailbox, as well as having an Israeli flag stolen from her property on one occasion, and another Israeli flag stomped on and defaced with the message "We Demand Blood." It was later found in a nearby alley.

Anyone with information about this individual or individuals is asked to call Zone 1 immediately at (412) 323-7201 or dial 9-1-1.

N.B. There is a possibility this is the same individual in the photos and video. Video is in the comments section of the post on the Police Facebook page.

Reporting PIO: Cara Cruz

2024-04-24
PIO@pittsburghpa.gov