US: 16 arrested for multiple armed robberies targeting Indian, Asian jewellery stores
US armed robberies: At least 16 members of a big crime ring were arrested for allegedly committing multiple violent armed robberies targeting Indian and other Asian jewellery stores across four East Coast US states in a year.
According to a release from the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, eight people were arrested on Wednesday, while the remaining eight were apprehended before.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired in the District of Columbia between January 7, 2022 and January 27, 2023, to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida, targeting jewellery stores owned by Asian Americans.
The gang targeted nine "South Asian" jewellery stores, according to the charge sheet. At least four of those could be identified as owned by people of Indian origin.
The gang committed and fled the robberies while disguised in dark clothing, masks, and gloves, armed with a gun, and used stolen vehicles, according to a press release.
"The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of jewellery from hardworking families," Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg added.
"For the past 20 months, the FBI worked with our partners across state lines to connect the defendants to these heists. Today's indictment is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment we all share to eradicating violent crime," Sundberg further said.
According to FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy, the suspects engaged in takeover-style armed robberies intended to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees.
"We allege these suspects took part in take-over style armed robberies meant to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees," Dennehy stated.
"Many of the victim businesses are family owned and operated and have lost large sums of inventory. The alleged violent and reckless actions of the subjects are astounding; they gave no thought to the people who could have been seriously injured or even killed," he further added.
According to US Attorney Graves, with a growing incidence of cross-state robberies, "collaborative operations like this one are critical to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities."
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- With inputs from agencies
