For release on August 30, 2022
CONTACT:
Adrian Ferrari
Deputy District Attorney
(650) 324-6409
Transient Woman Charged with Mountain View Hate Crime
A 43-year-old woman has been charged with a hate crime and a battery after attacking a teenager who was wearing a hijab, and calling the youth a “terrorist.”
The unprovoked attack by Atoosa Biglari – a transient - happened in broad daylight in the Mountain View downtown area. Two women, who witnessed the assault, rushed forward to assist the victim. Police arrested Biglari, who fled the scene on a bicycle, a short time later.
Biglari will be arraigned this afternoon, Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 1:30 at the Palo Alto Courthouse in department 85. She faces more than a year in county jail if she is convicted of the three charges against her.
“We have no tolerance for those whose intolerance crosses the line into criminality and violence,” DA Jeff Rosen said. “Hate has no home in Santa Clara County. We also commend the courage of the two women who quickly stepped forward to assist the victim. They are wonderful examples of the national campaign slogan against hate – ‘if you see something, say something.’”
On July 1, 2022, just after 3:00 p.m., police were dispatched to Castro and Mercy streets. The 18-year-old victim was walking alone on Castro Street when Biglari crossed the street, screamed at the victim, accused her of “hacking” her, then called her a “terrorist.” Next, Biglari grabbed the victim’s headscarf and began pulling it.
The victim called for help and the two women, who witnessed the attack, corroborated the victim’s account, stating that they saw Biglari push the victim into a wall and put her hands around the victim’s neck.
Biglari also faces charges of brandishing a deadly weapon in a rude, angry, and threatening manner, which stemmed from of earlier incident on June 24, 2022, where she threatened another woman with a pair of scissors.
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