Many news outlets across the country have reported how burglars target Asian Americans for robbery. Organized crime rings from South America are behind the crimes. In states as varied as Oregon, Colorado and Florida, these crime rings rob the homes of Asian American business owners. Law enforcement officials say that Columbia nationals, some on expired visas, are the culprits.
Similar highly technical and well planned tactics in different locations hint that highly mobile organized rings might be behind the robberies. These rings use of wi-fi jammers to block wireless based cameras and alarms systems. Other tactics include setting up trail cameras to monitor Asian American business owners routines. The burglars target Asian Americans sometimes by following them at places like H-Mart.
Over the years, we have written how Asian Americans been targeted for robbery. Some criminals consider Asian Americans idea prey. South Asians have been targeted for their gold jewelry. South Sacramento business owners have been systematically followed and robbed. In addition, the parking lots of Asian American malls in my ethnoburb have signs warning not to leave valuables in cars because of break-ins.
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) analyzed these AAPI targeted robberies as a whole. What seems to be different this time is that the robbers are using the same sophisticated tactics in in organized crime groups operating across the United States. Can progress be made against these criminals? TAAF reports that with the right approach, some progress can be made.
