A Northville man is behind bars after authorities said he went on a hate-fueled tirade at a local shopping mall, then exposed himself to law enforcement after he was arrested.
Subi Saad, 53, faces felony charges of hate crime – true threat and aggravated indecent exposure, as well as a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, according to online court records.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said the incident took place Monday at a store at the Somerset Mall in Troy, where Saad hurled “vulgar remarks about Islam” at two men. He also threatened violence against the men, telling them he had a gun in his car.
“No one should be harassed or threatened because of their religion,” McDonald said in a statement. “This defendant allegedly targeted two patrons because they were Muslim and subjected numerous workers and shoppers to profane and sexual rantings. This behavior is never acceptable.”
Authorities said Saad was escorted from the mall and was told he was banned from the property. He then allegedly created a disturbance, shouting vulgarities at police in the parking lot. After he was jailed, Saad exposed himself to corrections officers, McDonald said.
A video that appears to show the incident has been posted on Reddit. In it, a man who identifies himself as “Subi,” repeatedly insults bystanders — and their mothers — and angrily berates two women behind the counter with sexist language. He eventually pays cash for his items while still shouting profanities at the individuals surrounding him.
Saad was arraigned Wednesday in Troy’s 52-4 District Court, where he pleaded not guilty, according to online court records. His next hearing is slated for 9:45 a.m. May 21.
The court records do not list an attorney for Saad.
Hate crimes and aggravated indecent exposure are both punishable by up to two years in prison. Disturbing the peace carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Man accused in anti-Muslim outburst at Somerset: Prosecutor
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
