Suburban woman who attacked couple wearing pro-Palestinian hoodie charged with hate crime: prosecutors

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The woman who allegedly attacked a couple was arrested He wears clothes that say “Palestine” At a Panera Bread restaurant in Downers Grove.

Alexandra Szustakiewicz, 64, was charged with two counts of hate crime and one count of disorderly conduct.

Police responded to the restaurant at noon on Saturday after reporting a disturbance. According to authorities, Szustakiewicz became verbally abusive and physically aggressive towards the couple because of their attire. He left the scene before police teams arrived.

Waseem Zahran told Fox 32 that he was slapped after Szustakiewicz tried to spill hot coffee on him and his pregnant wife.

“On Palestine, he started saying ‘this is my land’; ‘it’s not your land. This is America. You can’t wear that hoodie,'” Zahran said.

The incident was recorded on video and lasts approximately one minute. The 25-year-old told Fox 32 that the verbal and physical attack was completely unprovoked.

Prosecutors said Szustakiewicz tried to take the cellphone from the woman who was recording the incident.

“I did everything I could not to touch him because I knew the moment I did something the roles would switch. He would be the victim and the strong, dark, handsome man would be attacked like a poor young woman, and I didn’t want the story to turn and he got away with it,” she said.

Customers did not intervene. Some didn’t even look up.

“Immediately after the incident occurred, Panera Bread workers went up to him, consoled him and took him behind the counter and seemed to hear his side of the story and help him clean up,” Zahran said.

Now the fallout continues online. Zahran said he faced death threats with messages asking for harm to his family.

“I received death threats like ‘I hope your baby dies’ and ‘I hope your wife gets deported when Trump comes back,'” Zahran said. he said. “It honestly shows what our society is like right now.”

Panera employees eventually came to his aid, Zahran said.

Panera Bread released a statement about the incident Sunday night.

“We are aware of the unfortunate incident that occurred at our bakery-café and are working with our team to investigate this matter. Panera aims to create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone,” the statement said.

Szustakiewicz was arrested Sunday at his home in Darien and is scheduled to appear in court Monday. He was released from custody and ordered by the judge to have no contact with the victims and not to enter the Panera Bread where the incident allegedly occurred.