A New Jersey man accused of tearing down an LGBTQ pride flag from a donut shop and giving a Nazi salute has been arrested, police said.
Maciej Wojciak, 61, was charged Saturday with bias intimidation after cops said he threatened to burn down Main Street Donuts in Matawan, the Asbury Park Press reported.
“I was in the back and an employee said someone just took the flag,” store owner Joe Rizzuto told the paper. “I ran out and saw him across the street parked and yelling. He was dressed like Trump, with a MAGA hat and a wig.”
Cops said Wojciak left before officers could arrive, but then returned to the shop and gave a Nazi salute, simulated sex acts in the street and threatened to burn the building down, according to News 12 New Jersey.
At that point, officers tracked down Wojciak and arrested him, the Press reported. In addition to bias intimidation, he was charged with terroristic threats, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Rizzuto and his husband, Rick Canero, own two donut shops in New Jersey. Rizzuto told the Press a similar incident with the pride flag happened two years ago, but he didn’t publicize it.
“I will not stay quiet,” Rizzuto said Sunday. “In 54 years as a gay man I have never had a hate crime occur until these.”
