This is the man the Santa Clara County DA says attacked at least 14 Hindu women ages 50-73 in a 2 month hate crime spree.
DA Rosen told me Lathan Johnson “rips off their jewelry, drags them down the street breaks their wrists, beats up their husband (s)”. #StopAAPIHate 🧵⬇️
The DA says there may be more victims & they’re looking for people to come forward.
The @HinduAmerican Foundation applauds the charging— saying during a time of increased attacks they’d like to see more counties charge crimes on #aapi victims at hate crimes.
Johnson faces up to 63-years behind bars if convicted.
NOTE: Samir Karla of the @HinduAmerican points out the women did nothing wrong. They were just wearing saris & bindis, frequenting temples & Hindu sites.
𝗔𝗔𝗣𝗜 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 “3xs a week… for months.”
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Lee’s Sandwiches gets vandalized & broken into regularly. @tl_merchants says hundreds of $ of items get stolen/damaged each time.
Rene Colorado Ex. Dir of @tl_merchants says ambassadors (who now wear bulletproof vests aft getting a gun pulled on them) patrol daily & have been successful in deterring crime 9-6.
But crooks have figured out they can break in b4 or after they leave for the day #SanFrancisco
Renee says “the sense in the community is that the Asian community is an easy target…ur not going to get hurt ur not going to get caught & there are no consequences. It’s been kind of lk a free for all so we’re on edge, the community has been on edge for months.” #StopAAPIHate
This woman owns a cigarette store & says she’s been robbed 7xs. A truck also rammed into her shop. You can still see tire marks.
Trinh Le even sleeps on the floor of his jewelry store because he’s has 10 break-ins in one year & has to be his own security guard. #StopAsianHate
Nearly two dozen business owners met w/me today to share their stories & videos hoping the city will pay attention to Little Saigon like they do to Chinatown.
Here is the Quickly being robbed.
They want cameras, volunteer patrols, more police presence. abc7ne.ws/3QmAMKL