Spate of robberies in 9 days getting more violent.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: Indian American families are living in fear in New Jersey, after four separate break-ins within a span of 9 days have been reported.
The modus operandi of the masked robbers – though in one robbery they did not even bother to cover their face – is simple: they break-in through a rear door of the house which they have probably canvased during day-time, tie-up victims in the house, and then loot the house, picking up specifically cash, gold and electronic items.
NBC New York reported that a fourth Indian family in Edison was targeted, after the family was tied up, just days after authorities said three other homes were hit, possibly by the same group of masked gunmen.
Prosecutors said two masked intruders barged into the home, tied up the family and ransacked the house. It wasn’t clear if anything was stolen. The home’s owner said his wife was taking out the garbage when the invaders attacked. He and his wife were tied up along with their three children.
Earlier, last week, CBS reported that home invaders have been targeting families of Indian descent in South Plainfield and Old Bridge, New Jersey.
The robbers have been storming into the homes of South Asian-American families, restraining the family members, and stealing undisclosed amounts of cash, electronics and jewelry, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office.
In each of the robberies, two or more masked men with handguns entered the homes through rear entrances before tying up the victims and ransacking the homes, prosecutors said.
The most recent home invasion occurred this past Tuesday in South Plainfield, prosecutors said. A family of five was targeted, and the gunmen took jewelry before running off, prosecutors said.
Earlier incidents happened this past Sunday, and on Monday, October 20, prosecutors said.
No arrests had been. Police and prosecutors would not disclose whether the same suspects were involved in all of the late-night home invasions.
The Star-Ledger reported that it’s not the first time that police, and the Indian community, have suspected criminals are targeting Indian families. It’s a longstanding fear for many in Central New Jersey.
“When a particular community is targeted, it’s very, very dangerous,” said Peter Kothari, a community activist in Middlesex County.
Kothari noted that in the past few years, the Edison community dealt with a similar spate of burglaries at the homes of Indians. Part of the problem is that Indians are seen as more likely to be wealthy, Kothari said. Plus, there might be just plain racism and bias playing a role, he added. Opportunistic burglars might believe that Indians are “down-to-earth and quiet” people who are unlikely to speak out, Kothari said.
Satish Poondi, an official with the Indian Business Association, said the group is planning a town hall-style meeting to educate the community about measures to protect itself in response to the recent home invasions.
Some stereotypes may play a role in targeting the Indian community, Poondi said — burglars may believe that recent immigrants would be less likely to use banks and would have more cash. Poondi dismisses the notion that Indians would be less likely to use a bank, but notes that jewelry is an “important part of our culture.” Oak Tree Road, the main thoroughfare in Little India, has many jewelry shops.
At the upcoming summit, which will happen sometime in the next few weeks, homeowners will be encouraged to get insurance, and to take basic steps like calling the police if a suspicious car is loitering in a neighborhood where it doesn’t belong. The group is going to ask that local police be on hand for the meeting.
News 12 New Jersey, quoting a police source, said in all three incidents, family members, including children, were tied up. In one of the robberies, a father was pistol-whipped, the source told News 12, similar to what occurred in the earlier robberies.
News 12 also reported, however, that there were some significant differences in one of the robberies: the South Plainfield home is located in a more populated area, unlike the Old Bridge homes, which are located in secluded sections of the township.
Sources also told News 12 the suspects in this latest incident did not cover their faces, as they did in the Old Bridge home invasions.
Anyone with information is being asked to call local police, or Agent John Selesky of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3439, or Detective John Marotta of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745- 3331.
The spate of robberies targeting Indian families has happened before also, and especially in areas of New Jersey and in Dallas, Texas. The robberies in Dallas were however mere break-ins when nobody was in the house.
3 Comments
The entire town of Edison needs to be involved in protecting the Indian community. There should be a march in the neighborhood where the robbery took place involving clergy and the political leadership and in one unified effort we need to create a civilian watch patrol. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP ORGANIZE. AND SUPPORT THE INDIAN ASIAN COMMUNITY. Rabbi Dr. BERNHARD ROSEBERG
We must fight this crime as a united community.
The Indian robbery was horrible but it was not a bias crime. There is nothing that indicates this. It was a targeted robbery in the Indian community because it was a holiday and the thieves knew there was gold for the taking. Also the guy who said it took a lengthy time for the police to arrive after a phone call does not live in Edison and allegedly made up the story. I do not like Edison being depicted as a RACIST BIGOTTED TOWN and it is dividing the town. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG
I organized a civilian patrol in our neighborhood. We have had plenty of robberies also. The police have been extremely co-operative, however there are not enough of them. We need community policing. Keep such items as gold in the bank safe not at home, you are asking for trouble. Never keep large amounts of cash at home. Make certain there is plenty of lights in the front and back entrance and get an alarm system with security cameras. Why blame the police ? I for one …know most of the Edison police officers and they are fine human beings. There are rotten apples in all professions. We need more police representing the different ethnic diversity in our town.
THESE are crimes of opportunity not bias crimes. If they were bias there would be symbols or language indicting this. Criminals know that a good time for home burglaries are especially around holidays . They look for rich looking neighborhoods and houses. We need more police, community policing and a human rights council so communities can talk to each other. Congratulations to the Asian / INDIAN community for sticking together and demanding safety. Numbers are important when persuading politicians. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG