The San Jose Police Department announced the arrests of six suspects Wednesday accused of targeting more than 70 Asian American women in robberies and burglaries, reports KRON4.
The incidents occurred between October 2020 and September 2021. Many of the crimes occurred in Little Saigon.
“I have a message to all the hardworking and good people of Little Saigon and to the people who have preyed upon them,” said District Attorney Jeffrey Rosen, according to CBS5. While we live in different places and our families came from different countries, we take your safety seriously and we take it personally.”
SFist reports that hate crime charges will be filed in the case after police determined the victims were targeted because of their race.
“We are sensitive to the hate aspect targeting Asian females,” San Jose Chief of Police Anthony Mata said in a statement. “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.”
The suspects have been identified as Anthony Michael Robinson, 24 of Stockton; Cameron Alonzo Moody, 27, of East Palo Alto; Derje Damond Blanks, 23, of San Jose; Hassani Burleson Ramsey, 24, of Oakland; Clarence Jackson, 21, of East Palo Alto and Malik Short, 21, of Tracy.
Rosen says the hate crime charges will mean additional prison time for the suspects if they are convicted. He says these sorts of crimes impact an entire community because it makes Asian Americans more fearful for their safety.
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