Police are investigating a hit-and-run outside a Minneapolis mosque as a possible hate crime

Authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident Wednesday outside a Minneapolis mosque as a possible bias crime.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) released surveillance video of the incident that shows a minivan driving around the corner and then plowing directly into a man crossing the parking lot of the Alhikma Islamic Center running The man ran away to seek shelter, the van reversed and drove away.

According to Minneapolis police, the 36-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to CAIR-MN, the victim was an employee and the driver had harassed believers several times in recent years.

“This apparently premeditated attack outside a religious institution must be investigated as a possible hate crime,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “We call for greater security and heightened vigilance at Islamic institutions across the state.”

Police investigators said they were also “familiar with the suspect,” adding that he had “a history of trespassing and erratic behavior at the mosque and in the neighborhood.”

James Evan Suttles, 37, was taken into custody in connection with the attack.

“Based on the information our investigators have gathered so far, I fear this crime may have been motivated by bias,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said. “We will not tolerate crime in our city. But hate crimes and crimes against our places of worship are particularly concerning because they create widespread fear and potentially create division among our residents.”