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.”
LATEST STORIES
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc. Please take advantage of a $30,000 matching grant challenge. An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar every tax-deductible donation made to Asian American Media Inc from November 1, 2023 until the end of the year. The money will be used to fund the addition of a new reporter and to produce content for limited English-speaking Asian immigrants. We are supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
