Four More Asian Homeowners Possibly Targeted In Trend, Police Say

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — In January, South Brunswick police warned of a possible trend occurring across the state, where Asian-American business owners and homeowners may be targeted for burglaries.

Incidents have been reported across New Jersey this winter, as well as in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Now this week, police in New Providence (Union County) announced four more incidents they say may be part of that same crime trend.

New Providence police say four homeowners of Asian descent were targeted by burglars; two of the burglaries occurred while homeowners were out celebrating the Chinese New Year, which just happened earlier this month.

"In our recent case both residents were out celebrating Chinese New Year and in the other two incidents, we have not definitely tied together any specific event other than their Asian heritage," said New Providence police Lt. Daniel Henn.

In all of the home burglaries either cash, rare coins, jewelry, handbags and luggage were taken. A picture of one of the New Providence suspects is above, captured by the home's surveillance camera.

On Feb. 10 in South Brunswick, a burglar broke into the home of a family who own a local Chinese restaurant. They used a ladder to gain access to a second-floor window of the home on Jennifer Way, police said. The suspect ransacked the home, taking jewelry and money.

In January, Morris County officials also warned of a string of five burglaries that targeted the owners of Asian business and restaurants. The Morris County prosecutor's office even released a public warning about the trend.

List of all the incidents so far across New Jersey (list may not be complete):

Feb. 10, 2019: Jennifer Way in South Brunswick (Junction Village East development off New Road). A burglar broke into the home of a family who own a local Chinese restaurant. They ransacked the home, taking jewelry and some money.

Feb. 2, 2019: Ryder Way in New Providence (homeowners out celebrating Chinese New Year, police say)

Feb. 2, 2019: Midvale Drive in New Providence (homeowners out celebrating Chinese New Year, police say)

Nov. 2018: Home burglary on Mountain Avenue in New Providence

March 2018: Home burglary on Springfield Avenue in New Providence. In all four instances above, the homes were unoccupied and all the homeowners have Asian heritage. Cash, rare coins, jewelry, handbags and luggage were taken.

Morris County: Police did not give street locations, but said in January five burglaries occurred over the past five months and involved similar details: The homes all belonged to Asian business owners. They were all broken into through the side or the rear of the home. The stolen items include currency, safes, birth certificates and passports.

Officials say one victim had his car burglarized while parked at his business before his home was targeted; an insurance card was taken from his car.

Officials said similar incidents have happened to Asian homeowners in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Reporting from the Morris County Patch: Asian Business Owners Targeted By Burglars In Morris Co.: Police