Two bystanders in San Francisco’s Japantown chased three suspects after stealing luggage from a tourist car, according to CBS SF Bay Area.
Jeremy Jong and Hudson Liao founded Asians are Strong which provides free self-defense lessons to combat the rise in crimes against Asians. After finishing a lesson, the pair dined at local business Pa’ina. Staff at the restaurant noticed a commotion across the street and Jong and Liao did not hesitate to intervene, according to CBS SF Bay Area.
“They immediately dropped the bags, as I was chasing towards them, the second they dropped the bags, they were pretty fast,” Jong told CBS SF Bay Area. “They were already on the other side of the complex,”
Although the suspects escaped, they did not leave with any luggage.
“We’re San Francisco natives and we hate what’s happening to our city,” Liao told CBS SF Bay Area. “This used to be a great place to visit, great place to live and it’s gone downhill quick, you know, and we hate that. We wanna make sure people come here and feel safe.”
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SFGate reports that two weeks prior to this incident, Jong and Liao prevented another robbery at the same location.
The two self-defense teachers were in the midst of recording a training video until they witnessed a break-in take place also involving tourists. Afterward, Jong and Liao retrieved the stolen luggage. However, they continued to chase down the suspect and made a citizen’s arrest. The luggage belonged to a family visiting from Kentucky. They said that they were targeted because of their out-of-state license plate, according to SFGate.
As stated in their Instagram bio, the group promotes safety for the Asian community by empowering individuals to take action. More information about Asians Are Strong can be found at asiansarestrong.org.
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