Burglars Targeting Indian Americans Arrested
India-West News Desk
SEATTLE, WA – Authorities on March 24 arrested and charged five individuals in connection with a series of residential burglaries affecting Indian American and other South Asian communities in the Kirkland area.
The Seattle Times reports that Lamar Curtis, Londra Jackson, Kenji Crutchfield, Eric Netterville Jr., and Aramis Williams are accused of carrying out at least 17 burglaries, with additional incidents reported in Lynnwood, Bothell, and Bellevue.
According to police investigators, the suspects frequently traveled from California to Washington to commit the crimes. Charging documents indicate that all five individuals face charges of possessing stolen property in the first degree. Curtis and Jackson each face seven counts of residential burglary, while Crutchfield, Netterville Jr., and Williams face two counts each, the Seattle Times said.
Authorities initiated the investigation in February after concerns were raised by members of South Asian communities about the increasing number of burglaries. Allegedly, the suspects would enter homes through back sliding doors, tamper with security cameras and Wi-Fi routers, and search for valuables such as jewelry, purses, and cash.
Following search warrants issued for the short-term rental properties where the suspects stayed, police discovered evidence linking them to the burglaries, including over $17,000 in cash and high-end handbags.
Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation, stating, “This is an impactful and successful outcome for our community. Thank you to our community members for trusting law enforcement with your story and for all our community members’ assistance along the way.”
The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned on April 10 at the King County Courthouse. These burglaries echo a similar spree last summer, where two individuals were charged for their involvement in 14 home invasions targeting Asian residents in the Seattle area, the media outlet said.
pemba
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Fir Asians and Indians it is easy come easy go.
April 2, 2024Pradeep Srivastava
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Based on my own research and what I have learned from talking to other Indian Americans, several factors contribute to the phenomenon of burglars targeting homes of Indian Americans. One, Indian Americans tend to live in the most expensive houses they can afford and single family houses are generally more susceptible to burglaries than apartments. Two, they sometimes have lot of cash and expensive jewelries lying around in the house. Three, since they live in relatively affluent neighborhoods, they assume they are safe and that makes them complacent regarding safety and security. Four, they usually don’t carry guns and don’t have dogs, , therefore, the burglars feel more emboldened to burglarize their dwellings.
April 3, 2024