The Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office announced the arrests Friday of three men accused of targeting Asian women in the San Francisco Bay Area for purse snatches, reports CBS5.
The DA says the men will also face hate crime enhancements, which if convicted, could result in a longer sentence.
Charged were Derje Blanks, 23, and Anthony Robinson, 24, and and 27-year-old Cameron Moody. Authorities did not name Moody in the original announcement, but later added his name.
Police arrested Moody Thursday. Authorities captured the other two suspects September 8. KRON reports that authorities accuse Robinson of trying to escape in a car, running a red light and hitting another car which resulted in the injury of a 2 year old.
Robinson and Bank face some 70 felony charges. Authorities booked Moody on multiple felony robbery charges.
Police said the crime spree took place over a year with Asian women frequently targeted and injured. Authorities believe the men targeted Asian women because they assumed they carried cash.
“We are sensitive to the hate aspect targeting Asian females,” said San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata. “I commend District Attorney Jeff Rosen for pursuing hate crime enhancements. We have tenacious investigators, and a dedicated apprehension team that was tasked with bringing these suspects to justice.”
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