Muslim man assaulted by suspect in hate-based attack in Rockville, police say

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Montgomery County police say a Muslim man was assaulted in a hate-based attack in Rockville.

Investigators say the victim was walking with his wife along Rollins Avenue near East Jefferson Street at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday. As they were speaking to each other in Arabic, the couple walked past a male suspect standing on the sidewalk.

The victim told police that the suspect made derogatory remarks about Muslims to the couple before he was threatened and assaulted by the suspect. Police say the suspect placed the victim into a headlock, which he was able to escape from. The suspect also kicked the victim before running off toward Rockville Pike after the assault.

The victim suffered minor injuries, but declined medical treatment, police say.

Police say the suspect is described as a white male between 37 to 43 years old. He is about 5'10" tall with a muscular build. He was wearing a black vest over a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in this case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Montgomery County police's 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084.