(WWJ) – Two men have been accused of hate crimes in separate cases in Macomb County, including a Sterling Heights man accused of a hit-and-run and a Clinton Township man accused of an attack at a Walmart.
Both alleged incidents happened Friday, Jan. 5, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Tuesday 62-year-old Mohammed Meah was arraigned on charges of assault with intent to murder, ethnic intimidation and failure to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident.
The charges against Meah stem from an alleged hit-and-run at the intersection of 15 Mile and Dodge Park. The prosecutor’s office says Meah “intentionally hit a random pedestrian” with his car at the intersection.
Authorities say Meah “claimed the victim was racist.” No other details surrounding the alleged incident have been released.
Meah’s bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety and if released he will be ordered to wear a GPS tether. His next court date has been scheduled for Jan. 22.
In an unrelated case, 42-year-old Vincent Moceri has been charged with ethnic intimidation and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly “assaulting two random people in a local Walmart,” the prosecutor’s office says.
Moreci allegedly yelled racial slurs, threatened to kill and pointed knives at two people in a Clinton Twp. Walmart, also on Jan. 5. Neither victim sustained any physical injuries, officials said.
His bond was set at $30,000 cash/surety or 10%. His next court date is also scheduled for Jan. 22.
"Those who perpetrate acts of hatred will be held accountable, ensuring that our legal system stands against prejudice and intolerance,” Prosecutor Pete Lucido said, per a press release.