SEATTLE — New evidence in a series of home-invasion robberies targeting Asian families in Seattle has now produced hate crime charges.
The new hate crime charges were filed against two men following a months-long investigation by Seattle and Renton police. Javez Paul Tubbs, 32, and Demarcus Maurice Pate, 28, have been jailed since September when they were arrested for weapons violations, following a series of armed home-invasion robberies that included assaults on several victims.
“I think a lot of people when the arrest were made back in September last year asked why didn’t they file charges right away and it’s because we didn’t have the totality of information that we have now,” said Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO).
But now, Seattle Police Department investigators completed an extensive investigation that resulted in the KCPAO adding a hate crime to the list of charges they already face, including assault and burglary, which are all felonies. Bail has been set at $1.5 million each.
“When these young kids go out or whoever go out and steal this and say well, no one’s gonna get away with anything and they do it they’re hurting the innocent people,” said Kay Dudley, who lives just blocks from one of the home invasions in Seattle.
Seattle police responded to several home invasion calls that started just after midnight one June morning and continued for several hours into the city of Renton, all targeting Asian people.
The home-invasion robbery in Renton happened at the son’s home of one of the Seattle victims, a couple who spoke little English and called their son to call 911 and then interpret their story for investigators.
FROM OCTOBER | Men charged for south Seattle home invasions targeting Asian families appear in court
That couple’s story included masked men breaking into their home and beating the husband with a gun when they didn’t immediately respond to their demands for cash and…
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