Toronto police have arrested and charged a man in his 40s after a string of "hate-motivated assaults" on Wednesday.

Police allege over the course of a single day, the man approached three women in three separate incidents and attempted to pull their hijabs off of their heads.

The women were all waiting for the bus on the corner of Jane Street and Wilson Avenue when the man approached them from behind.

Police arrested the man after he allegedly began damaging a car, but a police spokesperson wasn't able to explain to CBC Toronto how they were able to connect him to the alleged assaults.

The man has been charged with three counts of assault and mischief under $5,000. He's expected to appear in court today.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone else who may have been assaulted to contact investigators at 416-808-3100.