WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Police say a West Hartford man has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly threatening a woman because of her Muslim heritage.
Authorities say 68-year-old Michael Germain approached the woman as she was waiting for a prescription at a pharmacy, made racially-charged remarks and threatened to punch her.
After the woman left he allegedly told a technician he was upset Americans had been killed in Libya.
He was arrested Saturday and charged with second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace in addition to hate crimes.
German told WVIT-TV it was a misunderstanding and said: "I think it will all be straightened out eventually."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations on Monday called for the FBI to consider federal charges against Germain.
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