“Helmet Guy” arrested and charged with uttering threats, breach of probation

The man who was charged in connection with violence at Hamilton Pride in 2019 has been arrested again.

York Regional Police arrested Christopher Vanderweide, of Kitchener, on Nov. 1. He’s been charged with uttering threats and breach of probation.

Vanderweide is serving a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to assault with a weapon at the Hamilton Pride festival at Gage Park last year.

A video posted to social media showed Vanderweide using a helmet to hit people at the event.

The new charges stem from threats made online.

The Canadian Anti-Hate Network says the threats targeted their chair and executive director.

Last night Chris Vanderweide was arrested and charged in relation to threats made against our chair @BernieFarber and executive director @ebalgord — calling them “evil Jews” who “must be shot.”

We take the safety of our staff and board seriously.https://t.co/V3Me6MTEp0

— Canadian Anti-Hate Network (@antihateca) November 2, 2020

The group initially reached out to Hamilton Police to investigate but say they “refused” to act on the information.

“The complaint came to York Regional Police and therefore our investigators were the ones looking into it,” said Const. Andy Pattenden with York Regional Police.

In September, I heard Chris Vaderweide, known as “helmet guy” tell the court: “Now I’m a different man. I’m glad we can put this behind us and start doing something better.” York Regional Police have since charged him with uttering threats + breach of probation. @CHCHNews https://t.co/u7lppRSYbd

— Sylvie Lendvay (@sylvie_lendvay) November 3, 2020

Vanderweide released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 23 in Newmarket.