Last Tuesday, the Fort Collins Police Department named four suspects in a 2019 residential burglary spree. The burglaries all targeted Asian businesses. The police have made three arrests and are tracking down one suspect, who is believed to be in South America. The arrests make law enforcement’s position on Anti-Asian violence and hate crimes clear.
In a statement Attorney General, Phil Weiser said, “Those who commit crimes against an individual or community because of their ethnicity or cultural background must be held to account. I am proud of our collaboration with the Fort Collins Police Services and the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in pursuing justice for the 26 Asian business owners and their families who were targets of the home burglary criminal ring we uncovered,”
In July 2020, indictments on three of the suspects were issued by the grand jury. The suspects were all from Miami, Florida and two arrests were made in Florida in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI. After these arrests, police were able to obtain the name of the third suspect and issue a warrant for his arrest. The fourth suspect is believed to be evading arrest in South America. The suspects have been charged with Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA) – Pattern of Racketeering and Participating in an Enterprise (class 2 felony), 24 counts of Second Degree Burglary to a Dwelling (class 3 felony), COCCA – Conspiracy (class 2 felony), and 20 counts – Theft and/or Criminal Mischief (varying classifications). The suspects were booked at the Larimer County Jail.
“Every crime is wrong, but one focused against a particular race or ethnic group is particularly reprehensible. I’m proud of our detectives who spent over two years piecing this puzzle together,” said FCPS Criminal Investigations Assistant Chief Tim Doran.