SAN DIEGO — San Diego Police detectives arrested 48-year-old Robert Compton Thursday on felony battery and hate crime charges after he allegedly assaulted a man who recently moved from Afghanistan late last month.
Just before noon on Feb. 26, a family of four that had recently moved to San Diego from Afghanistan was on a San Diego trolley in the Grantville neighborhood. According to Lieutenant Shawn Takeuchi, a Christian charity was giving the family a tour of San Diego to welcome them.
While on the trolley, Compton approached the father and threatened to kill the family, said Takeuchi.
According to Takeuchi, Compton also told the family to “go back to where you came from. I hate you.”
Compton is accused of punching the victim once, causing multiple fractures to his face, and then getting off the trolley.
Compton is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, March 9. According to criminal records, Compton has an extensive criminal history in San Diego County, with more than 30 charges dating as far back as 1998.
This isn't the first hate crime incident reported on a San Diego trolley. Another San Diego man was sentenced to five years in prison for attacking a Syrian refugee on the trolley on Oct. 15, 2019.
With information obtained from Smart Street Lights, Compton has also been identified as the suspect in another unprovoked felony battery that happened just two days later. Police do not believe that incident is hate-motivated at this time.
"Our department does not tolerate violent acts motivated by hate and will investigate all incidents to ensure the safety of all members of our community," said Takeuchi.