A London man who was wanted by police for a hate-motivated incident has been arrested after turning himself in this week, bringing closure to a case that had the community on edge.
Joseph Howard Coddington, 34, surrendered to authorities after being sought by London Police Service since early June. The arrest stems from a disturbing incident that occurred on May 29, 2025, in the east end of the city that left an elderly woman shaken but physically unharmed.
The incident unfolded between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. near Marconi Boulevard and Trafalgar Street, when an elderly woman was simply outside her residence going about her morning routine. That’s when Coddington allegedly approached her and began yelling aggressively.
According to police reports, the confrontation escalated quickly as Coddington threatened to set the woman’s house on fire and attempted to spit on her. The nature of his comments during the attack led investigators to classify the incident as hate-motivated, though specific details about what was said haven’t been released publicly.
After the verbal assault and threats, Coddington fled the scene on foot, walking southbound on Marconi Boulevard. The victim was left rattled but reported no physical injuries from the encounter.
The London Police Service’s Hate Crime Unit immediately took over the investigation, working to identify the suspect through witness descriptions and security footage from the area. Their efforts paid off when they were able to identify Coddington and issue charges against him by way of warrant.
During the search, police described Coddington as a white male, approximately 5’8″ tall and weighing around 150 pounds, with short brown and blonde hair, scruffy facial hair, and brown eyes. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a distinctive yellow and black hoodie with “LOONEY” written across the chest in red letters, along with a grey baseball cap and work boots with red laces.
The charges against Coddington include assault and uttering threats/property damage. He’s now scheduled to appear in London court on July 14, 2025, to face these charges.
Police had been actively seeking the public’s help in locating Coddington, warning residents not to approach him if spotted and to call 9-1-1 immediately. The London Police Service expressed gratitude to the community for sharing information that helped with the investigation.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about hate-motivated incidents in the city, with the specialized Hate Crime Unit continuing to investigate such matters. Anyone with additional information about this incident is still encouraged to contact London Police Service at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.