Police in Portland, Maine, believe that burglars are targeting Asian families, 13 WGME reports.
According to the police, two homes belonging to Asian families have been burglarized. Investigators believe the suspects case the home a few days before breaking in. They also say Asian businesses have been targeted.
“Definitely concerning, for sure,” Tuyet Le owns a Vietnamese restaurant and bakery in Portland told 13 WGME. “The only thing that we can honestly do, because we don’t know exactly who these people are, is just talk to one another, you know. We’re all small businesses. It’s definitely scary. Right now, all we can say is just watch our backs, help each other out.”
Police also believe that the suspects may be responsible for other burglaries throughout the Northeast.
Asian families and business owners have been a target of home burglaries in other places throughout the United States. In Ohio, town leaders warned of similar burglaries targeting Asian-owned homes. A burglar ring in Pennsylvania also allegedly targeted the homes of Asian American business owners. Authorities in Pennsylvania believe Asian families are targets because suspects assume they keep lots of valuables and cash in their homes.
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