Cops hate when this happens!

It was initially reported as a hate crime against a Muslim man who was subjected to Islamophobic slurs while being assaulted in Durham Region.

But it turns out the only potential crime was the allegations.

The Durham Regional Police news release headline on Aug. 18 read: “Suspect Wanted after Hate-Related Assault in Whitby.”

Then came the news of an arrest on Friday.

“After receiving tips from the public, police have arrested a 57-year-old man in connection with an assault that occurred at Heydenshore Park in Whitby.”

William Carnahan, 57 of No Fixed Address, was charged with assault.

Later in the day came another police news release: “Investigators have dropped the charge against a male after the victim admitted exaggerating the interaction between him and the alleged suspect. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused.”

Yikes.

“It was a big story at the time it came out and it grew legs,” said Durham Police’s Const. George Tudos. “The thing is the story, or at least parts of the story, were fabricated.”

Police were still investigating when the complainant made the admission.

“He told them the story was a little embellished,” said Tudos.

Police consulted the crown and the charges were withdrawn.

“The complainant could have been charged with mischief or obstruction for falsifying information to the police,” admits Tudos.

But the decision was made to instead issue just a caution.

“The officers have discretion,” said Tudos.

In the end the decision to issue a stern warning stemmed from the fact the “victim” was honest about the incident not going down as he first claimed, but he ultimately did the right thing and told the truth. Some don’t feel he should be cut a break but I trust the instincts of police.

Why escalate a mess into something even bigger than it already is?

I think this is an example of good police work since sometimes the hateful eye-for-an-eye approach doesn’t do anything but leave everybody blind.

jwarmington@postmedia.com