Illinois Man Arrested After Allegedly Threatening Muslim Women
An individual in Illinois is accused of pretending to threaten a group of Muslim women while making derogatory comments before he was taken into custody by law enforcement.
According to a police report, one of the women was attempting to enter Lake Opeka park in Des Plaines when the man confronted her, hurling insults her way.
The report indicates that he told the women to “leave the US” and insisted that one woman take off her face covering.
As he tried to position himself between her and the park entrance, the woman managed to walk around him and rejoin her friends, as detailed by the Des Plaines police.
Subsequently, the man approached the group at the playground, reaching towards his waistband in a manner that suggested he might possess a weapon. He then allegedly threatened to shoot them, mimicking gunfire gestures.
Reportedly, he described the women using slurs, referring to them as Muslim “monkeys” and “ninjas,” and insisted they should leave the country.
The women, dressed in hijabs and long-sleeved clothing at the time, reported the incident to authorities. Officers soon identified the suspect as 44-year-old Matthew R. Kindle, who was arrested after being seen yelling at a different individual.
While in custody, Kindle reportedly made statements that referenced “white power” and continued his derogatory remarks towards the Muslim women. In the report, he claimed to be a white Christian of German and Italian descent.
Interestingly, Kindle also asserted to police that a group of women had made a derogatory comment towards him.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has brought multiple charges against him, including three felony counts for disorderly conduct classified as a hate crime, and three felony counts of aggravated assault categorized as a hate crime.
He is also facing misdemeanor counts for aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting a peace officer.
This isn’t the first time Kindle has faced legal issues; in 2019, he was charged with domestic battery after allegedly assaulting a woman.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the hate crime charges, emphasizing that no one should feel threatened in public spaces, especially from acts of gun violence and bigotry. Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of CAIR-Chicago, stressed the importance of law enforcement responding vigorously to acts of hate.
Illinois State Representative Justin Cochran publicly condemned the incident, stating it was “sickening,” and reassured the victims that they belong in their community and have every right to enjoy their local parks.
