JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — A Jamestown man is facing hate crime charges after he allegedly assaulted a boy who he called an immigrant.
Christopher C. Conklin, 30, of Jamestown was charged with robbery, assault, criminal mischief, criminal impersonation, endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple hate crimes following an incident that happened around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday near the Jamestown River Walk.
Jamestown Police allege that Conklin harassed a juvenile who was fishing alone by the river, approaching the youth and calling him an immigrant.
Police say Conklin identified himself as a police officer, told the youth to get on the ground, and told a passerby that the youth was an immigrant before eventually tackling the boy.
"The suspect got off the victim and proceeded to tell the him that he wanted to fight and got into a fighting stance," police said, leading to the boy grabbing his phone and calling 911.
At that point, police said, Conklin tackled the youth a second time causing an injury.
"The victim dropped his cell phone, and the suspect picked it up and threw it in the river when he noticed the victim was on the phone with the police," according to a statement.
The boy managed to escape before police arrived. He was able to provide officers a description, and Conklin was later found on the north side of the city. The boy later identified Conklin as the man who had assaulted him.
Conklin was placed under arrest and was taken to the Jamestown City Jail. He's being held, pending arraignment.
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