A handful of residential burglaries have targeted Asian American business owners in Bellingham, and city police are urging residents to take steps to stay safe and secure their valuables.
“More than five but less than 12” local instances fit the description of a string of thefts along the Interstate 5 corridor targeting residents and business owners of Asian descent, Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told Cascadia Daily News.
An organized group is believed to be behind the crimes, stealing jewelry, cash and safes that can be carried out of a home. Multiple agencies along the corridor have teamed up to investigate.
In Bellingham, burglarers are targeting homes along greenbelts with trail access, entering from backyards between the hours of 5–9 p.m.
“It’s hard to say how big of an issue it’s going to be here,” Murphy said, noting that some individuals or families might not have reported a burglary to Bellingham police yet.
No injuries are known to be associated with any of the local burglaries, Murphy said, because they are happening when no one is home.
Residents — particularly business owners — of Asian descent are encouraged to deposit any cash or checks in a bank and move valuable jewelry to a safety deposit box.
Residents should also take photos of their valuables so they can show police if any items are stolen. “That’s just a good all-around tip for anyone who has valuables,” Murphy said.
Murphy encouraged people to leave their lights on or control their lights with a timer to give the appearance someone is home. Residents should install security cameras on the front and back of their homes, and Murphy said neighbors should connect and “keep an eye on one another.”
Murphy said it’s uncertain whether the burglaries legally constitute hate crimes, but it’s clear perpetrators are targeting a specific group of people based on their race.
“If there’s an arrest in any of these burglaries up and down the I-5 corridor, what we’re hoping is that the prosecutors will take a look at the hate crime statute and see if any of the crimes fit the definition,” Murphy said.
“We have no idea why [it’s happening], and that’s not a question we may know the answer to until we make an arrest or until someone is able to talk to us about that,” she added.
Anyone with information should contact the tip line at cob.org/tips or 360-778-8611. Individuals should call 911 if they see people wearing dark clothing and full-face masks or suspicious vehicles in an area.
