Colonie man accused of a bias crime - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Colonie man accused of a bias crime

COLONIE - Police said a Colonie man was facing charges of a bias crime following a confrontation with a local Muslim businessman.

Police have identified the suspect involved as Peter Ploof, 38, of Central Avenue. Police tell News 10 it was back on Wednesday night that Ismatullah Hotak, the owner of the Colonie Grocery and Meat was talking to a friend across from his store when Ploof approached.

Hotak said Ploof came out of his apartment with a woman and beer, then began berating him.

"He tell me very bad words. He tell me you Muslim... {expletive}. And he talk to me like this. I say yes I'm Muslim and he tell me go back, go get out of here," Hotak said.

Hotak said he went back to his store but that a short time later Ploof came out and began threatening him.

"Then he show me the gun like this and say come Muslim. I want to shoot you. I want to kill you," Hotak tells News 10.

Hotak said he then called 9-1-1.

Police said Ploof admitted cursing at Hotak but that he had plenty to say back, also cursing at him as well. We stopped by Ploof's apartment but he declined to comment.

Police though searched Ploof's apartment and recovered several weapons.

"We did recover two handguns, we believe one was involved in this, which is a 45 caliber handgun, 2 riffles, a crossbow and ammunition. All of those in themselves were possessed legally," Lt. Bob Winn, Colonie Police Dept. said.

Police now have those weapons. Ploof was issued an order of protection to stay away from Hotak. As for the motive, Winn said its still unclear but they don't believe its connected to any larger plot.

"There's no indictation at all that, nothing, no material that would lead us to believe he was an extremist or white supremist or anything of that nature. He has no history of that," Lt. Winn said.

Ploof has been charged with three misdemeanors, including aggravated harassment under the bias crimes law. He's scheduled to be back in court next month.