Two B.C. white supremacist members charged

VANCOUVER - Two Lower Mainland men who police say are in a neo-Nazi group are facing assault charges in connection with disturbing attacks on minorities.

The B.C. Hate Crime Team announced the charges against Robertson De Chazal, 25, and Shawn MacDonald, 39, at a news conference in Vancouver Friday.

The specialized team conducted reviews of four investigative files dating back to 2008 and unearthed new evidence that led to the charges against De Chazal and MacDonald, who police say are linked to an international hate group called Blood and Honour.

In the most disturbing case, a Filipino man was set on fire near Commercial and 5th Avenue in Vancouver in October 2009 after the victim fell asleep on a discarded couch.

"Three men were observed by a witness allegedly lighting the victim on fire," Det. Const. Terry Wilson, of New Westminster Police said. "The suspects allegedly fled the scene before the arrival of police. The victim sustained burns to his arms, neck and head. The initial investigation was unable to surface suspects at the time."

But he said the Hate Crime Team was able to identify De Chazal as a suspect and the Vancouver man has now been charged with aggravated assault. A second man has also been arrested in relation to the attack, but has yet to be charged.

De Chazal has also been charged with assault causing bodily harm in connection with a September 2009 assault on a black man that rendered him unconscious, Wilson said.

"This review also led to three counts of assault being laid against Shawn MacDonald, who is also allegedly a member of the group Blood and Honour," Wilson said. "These charges stem from two separate incidents in 2008 and 2010 where a black man, a Hispanic man and an aboriginal woman were assaulted."

He said both men have been released on undertakings until their next court appearance.

De Chazal is due back in Vancouver Provincial Court on Dec. 23, the court registry indicates. He has no apparent criminal history in B.C.

MacDonald is not due back in court until October 2012, according to the online registry.

Vancouver Police released details of the Oct. 10, 2009 burn attack at the time, saying the victim had been out drinking with friends when he came upon the couch and fell asleep on it. The attackers were seen spraying some kind of fluid onto the victim about 11:40 p.m. and then lighting him on fire.

He suffered minor burns to his hands and face.

Wilson said the group Blood and Honour could have as many as 15 members in B.C.

He said membership in white supremacist groups is not illegal in itself. But if they incite violence, it is a criminal offence.

If the men are convicted, the Crown could ask for a hate crime designation in the case, which is used as an aggravating factor at sentencing.

Wilson said the B.C. Hate Crime Team, which is a joint RCMP-municipal police unit, is the only one of its kind in Canada.

"If you belong to an organized hate group in BC we will know about you and if you commit crimes we will come and get you," Wilson said.

At the news conference, police displayed white supremacist and neo-Nazi flags, shirts and literature seized by the unit, though not directly connected to the assaults in which charges have been laid.

kbolan@vancouversun.com

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