Woman charged with hate crime

MIDDLETOWN — A woman faces a felony hate crime charge after a Main Street assault last week, according to city police.

Iris Rena Blye, who was listed in the report as experiencing homeless, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, thirddegree assault, disorderly conduct and second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias. An age was not provided for Blye, but she was estimated to be in her 40s in the police report.

Around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 8, officers were sent to the 600 block of Main Street for a report of an assault, according to the police report.

The victim, who is white, told officers she parked in front of the It’s Only Natural Restaurant on Main Street and started walking toward Krust Restaurant to meet up with friends for dinner. Police said she told officers she was at the intersection of Green and Main streets when she noticed Blye following her.

The victim told officers the woman was mumbling, but she couldn’t make out what she was saying, then turned around and told Blye to stop following her, the report said.

In response, the victim told officers that Blye, who is Black, said, “That’s why I hate white people,” according to the report. The victim tried to walk faster, but Blye also picked up her pace, cursing at the victim and mentioning her race, the report said.

The victim said she did not feel comfortable and turned around to walk toward her car and wait for her friends. The report said that’s when Blye allegedly “came up behind her, punching her in the back of the head” in front of the Metro PCS store at the corner of Main Street and Rappallo Avenue.

During the encounter, the report said, the victim reported her sunglasses fell off and a lens popped out and she lost a $50 diamond earring that was knocked off during the alleged assault.

An employee at Metro PCS told officers she heard two women arguing in front of the store.

Blye was taken into custody in connection with the assault.

Her bond was set at $50,000. While court records show her bond was lowered to $5,000, the records also indicate she was not released from custody. Her next court date is scheduled for Oct. 25.