A man from East Palo Alto is facing hate crime charges as prosecutors allege he stole necklaces from several South Asian women.
According to Palo Alto Online, the suspect attacked the women over the course of two months starting in June. He targeted women in San Jose, Milpitas, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara who were usually wearing a sari, bindi or other cultural attire. He would tear their necklaces from them and drive off.
CBS News reports that prosecutors estimate he stole approximately $35,000 of necklaces.
The suspect is facing hate crime and robbery charges. He is set to be arraigned Tuesday morning.
“I say to our South Asian community that anyone who targets and attacks you will be arrested and treated with the utmost severity under our law,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement on Monday, according to CBS News. “Santa Clara County’s precious diversity is our strength, our superpower – not a criminal opportunity.”
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