DEARBORN (WWJ) -- A man is behind bars after allegedly shouting racial slurs at two Black men in a Dearborn market and threatening them with a baseball bat.
The Dearborn Police Department is currently investigating an incident involving suspected felonious assault and ethnic intimidation that occurred on May 13 at the Westborn Market on Michigan Avenue.
Two Black patrons reported that a white male initiated an encounter with them, making several racial slurs. Afterwards, the subject reportedly proceeded to follow the men out into the parking lot, where he attempted to strike the victims with his vehicle as they walked to their car.
Police said the subject then exited his vehicle with a baseball bat.
As the suspect walked toward the two men, he raised the baseball bat over his head and continued to shout racial slurs at them, said officials. He also followed them as they drove away.
After conducting interviews and reviewing surveillance footage, investigators were able to identify the suspect as Jason Edward Lucas.
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Lucas was arrested less than a week later on May 18. His baseball bat was recovered by police.
“We will not tolerate hateful ideologies that threaten members of our community, and we will always defend those who unjustly endure racist intimidation simply for being who they are," said Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud. "I commend law enforcement officials for taking immediate action to prevent this individual from committing further harm.”
Lucas is facing four counts of felonious assault, two counts of ethnic intimidation and one count for being a habitual offender on their fourth notice. He is held on a $150,000 cash bond with GPS tether.
“There is no place in our society for such reprehensible behavior and these types of incidents will not be tolerated in the City of Dearborn," said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. "I’d like to commend the victims in this case for coming forward, and our officers for quickly bringing this individual to justice.”
The preliminary exam is scheduled for June 10 at 9 a.m.
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