Illinois Woman Charged with Hate Crimes After Confronting Pro-Palestine Couple at Panera Bread

A suburban Chicago woman is facing felony hate crime charges following a November 2024 confrontation at a local Panera Bread, where authorities say she targeted a couple because of a "Palestine" sweatshirt.

Alexandra Szustakiewicz, 64, of Darien, was arrested after an incident on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Panera Bread located on Lemont Road. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, the confrontation began when Szustakiewicz approached Waseem Zahran and his pregnant wife, who were at the restaurant for lunch.

Prosecutors allege that Szustakiewicz began shouting expletives at Zahran regarding his sweatshirt, which featured the word "Palestine." The situation escalated when Zahran’s wife began recording the encounter on her cell phone. Officials say Szustakiewicz attempted to slap the phone out of the woman's hands and swung at the couple multiple times.

Zahran, a 25-year-old Palestinian-American, told reporters that he attempted to de-escalate the situation and shield his wife. He alleged that Szustakiewicz tried to throw hot coffee on them and continued to swing even after being informed that his wife was pregnant, reportedly responding, "I don't care."

"I am a born and raised American who just took his wife out for lunch," Zahran said in a statement released through CAIR-Chicago. "I was not able to do that simply because I was Palestinian."

The incident, which was partially captured on a viral cell phone video, prompted a swift investigation by the Downers Grove Police Department. Szustakiewicz was taken into custody the following day at her home.

On Monday, November 18, 2024, a judge charged Szustakiewicz with two felony counts of hate crime and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. She was granted pretrial release under the condition that she has no contact with the victims and remains barred from the Panera Bread location where the assault occurred.

"Every member of society, regardless of national origin, deserves to be treated with respect and civility," said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. "This type of behavior and the accompanying prejudice have no place in a civilized society."

Szustakiewicz is scheduled to return to court in December 2024 for her formal arraignment. If convicted, she could face significant prison time for the felony hate crime charges.