FREMONT – A person suspected of brandishing a duplicate firearm and shouting death threats at a highway driver whose automotive was decorated with an Israeli flag has been charged with a hate crime and other offenses, in accordance with authorities and court records.
In addition to the charge of violating civil rights, a hate crime, the suspect, Jesus Hernandez Hernandez, 44, of Castro Valley, can be charged with aggravated menacing and brandishing a duplicate weapon, records state.
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Hernandez is free on his own bail and is predicted to enter a guilty plea on October 31.
According to authorities, the victim told police that on September 12 at around 4 p.m. he was driving on I-680 with an Israeli flag outside his window when one other driver in a Ford sedan attempted to ram his vehicle and commenced yelling at him concerning the flag.
The victim followed the suspect off the highway and onto the streets of Fremont while calling 911, documents say.
The suspect allegedly pointed the gun on the victim again and ordered him to stop following him or he would kill him, documents say.
Fremont police stopped the suspect's vehicle in the realm of Mission Boulevard and Denise Street and arrested Hernandez. A pellet gun was present in the vehicle.
During a lineup, the victim clearly identified him because the suspect. Hernandez refused to talk to police.
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