NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A man was arrested Wednesday on hate crime charges after he allegedly vandalized at least five Buddhist temples in and around Chinatown, police said.
Taihong Ouyan, 49, was charged with five hate crime-related counts, as well as five counts of criminal mischief and burglary.
He was cuffed Tuesday night at a temple at 20 Bowery in Chinatown, police said.
Following his arrest, police said they identified him as the same person wanted for vandalizing temples earlier this week in Chinatown and on the Lower East Side.
The temples vandalized include locations at 15 Pike St., 20 Eldridge St., 139 Canal St. and 158 Henry St.
The vandalism reportedly included smashed statues and windows.
It wasn't immediately clear if the suspect had a connection to any of the temples.