8 Charged in Burglary Ring That Targeted Asian Homeowners; Over 50 Homes Intruded
Eight members of an interstate burglary ring that targeted Asian homeowners have been charged, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
An investigation by the FBI and local law enforcement found the crew broke into more than 50 residences in Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania between December 2016 and March 2019.
"These defendants were part of a sophisticated, multi-state burglary crew that targeted the homes of business owners of Asian descent, intending to steal the cash proceeds of their businesses as well as jewelry, foreign currency, and other property," acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said in a statement.
The defendants allegedly broke into cars parked at family-owned Asian restaurants to find home addresses and placed tracking devices on the vehicle to follow the owners home.
They would use ladders to enter the home through unsecured second-floor windows, according to a criminal complaint filed in United States District Court in Newark, New Jersey. Crew members also allegedly communicated amongst themselves via two-way radios while the burglaries were taking place.
Once inside the residences, the robbers looked for cash, collectible coins, heirlooms, jewelry and firearms. Authorities alleged they made off with hundreds of thousands of dollars from ransacking the homes. At one home in Eatontown, New Jersey, the victims said $500,000 was stolen from a bedroom.
After each burglary was over, the suspects would split up the stolen property and return to their respective residences in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Rabine Armour of Easton, Pennsylvania; Kevin Burton of Newark, New Jersey; Kevin Jackson of Rahway, New Jersey; Thomas Rodgers of Newark, New Jersey; James Hurt of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania; Sherman Glasco of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Randi Barr of Irvington, New Jersey; and Terrance Black of Irvington, New Jersey, were all charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to the U.S. Attorney's office, the charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years and either a $250,000 fine or twice the amount of money involved in the offense, whichever is greater.
George M. Crouch Jr., the special agent in charge of the F.B.I. office in Newark, said in a statement the defendants carried out "a brazen conspiracy based on stereotype and opportunity."
"It is fitting that these arrests come at a time when society is raising awareness regarding crimes against our Asian-American citizens," Crouch added.
Crimes against Asian Americans have spiked have increased in the last year amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hate-fueled attacks spiked 150 percent in major U.S. cities, according to data compiled by California State University's Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Attorney's office for additional comment, but didn't receive a response before publication.
