Robbers have been targeting Asian women in South Seattle in commercial and residential areas.
According to Q13 Fox, nine different Asian women were robbed in a span of nine days. Six of the nine robberies reportedly occurred between 4pm and 730pm in Beacon Hill or Rainer Valley area.
South Seattle Crime Prevention Council’s Pat Murakami said, “They are snatching jewelry and purses, unfortunately… It’s frightening for the members of our community,” Murakami said.
The victims are aged 35 to 75 years old. Several were attacked whilst walking from their car to their home.
An elderly Asian woman who wanted to remain anonymous said that her home in Beacon Hill was burgled 5 years ago and she has been concerned about crime ever since. 4 out of the 9 street robberies happened only a few blocks away from her home.
“I have to take precaution maybe have extra set of eyes,” said the elderly woman.
Seattle Police believes that more than one criminal is committing the crimes. In each case, the suspect will grab the woman from behind or ask the victim a question before snatching jewelry, purses and credit cards.
Murakami said that robbers targeting Asian women is nothing new. “Call 911. We’ve had a problem with some of these women calling family members and family members calling 911,” Murakami said.
Murakami encourages people to not be deterred from language barriers in reporting crimes, “state the language you speak Cambodian, Vietnamese, whatever it is, it will take a few seconds they will give you a translator,” Murakami said.
