East Palo Alto man charged with hate crimes in robbery spree targeting South Asian women
An East Palo Alto man charged with hate crimes and robberies for attacks allegedly targeting South Asian women will face an arraignment hearing Tuesday, according to Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office.
Beginning in June, Lathan Johnson, 37, allegedly targeted at least 14 South Asian women across four cities in Santa Clara County, stealing about $35,000 worth of necklaces, prosecutors said in a news release. Authorities said several women were injured in the attacks; all of the victims were between the ages of 50 and 73.
Almost all of the women attacked were wearing traditional South Asian attire or jewelry. Sean Webby, a spokesperson for the District Attorney’s Office, said some of the evidence for hate crime charges would be shared at Tuesday’s arraignment hearing.
Johnson was accused of forcibly removed necklaces off the necks of the women. In one such instance, he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground before punching her husband in the face, ripping off her necklace and jumping inside a getaway car. The woman suffered a broken wrist.
If convicted, Johnson could face prison time, the DA’s office said.
“I say to our South Asian community that anyone who targets and attacks you will be arrested and treated with the utmost severity under our law,” District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a public statement. “Santa Clara County’s precious diversity is our strength, our superpower – not a criminal opportunity.”