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8.23.2010

another asian family targeted in home invasion robbery

More news from last week out of the Philadelphia area about another home invasion robbery and assault targeting an Asian family: Radnor family assaulted and robbed, possibly because they are Asian.
Jei Lee, who works at a dry cleaners in Wayne, was pistol-whipped by one of the intruders and was bleeding profusely from a scalp wound when officers arrived, his daughter said. He required treatment at a nearby hospital, but was able to work Thursday.

John Chin, executive director of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp., said Thursday that Asian American business people were being targeted by criminals, and that the activity seems to run in cycles.

"I'm not sure why they come in spurts, but they do, and it's unfortunate. Part of the pattern is that the criminals follow the merchants home," he said.

Investigators spent from 3:37 until 9 a.m. Wednesday processing the house, but could find few clues because the intruders wore gloves, Lee said.

Police Sgt. Andrew J. Block, of the Radnor investigations unit, said by e-mail Thursday that no arrests had been made. No one saw a fleeing vehicle, Block said, and the TV had not turned up.

He said that officers were trying to learn if the family was targeted because it is Asian. All four robbers were described as African American.
The robbers got away with $26,000, a computer, the family's jewelry, and a 52-inch TV. The men were described by police as wearing dark clothing with white or black-and-white bandannas, with two more than six feet tall.

It says the police are trying to learn if the family was targeted because they're Asian... I'm willing to be it wasn't a coincidence. Asian American business owners are being targeted by criminals, and the pattern seems to indicate that they're following the merchants home.

If you you're in the area, or know anyone who could be a target, it doesn't hurt to be careful and stay vigilant. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Radnor Police Department's Investigations Unit at 610-688-0503.