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13 Police Stud.: Int'l Rev. Police Dev. 154 (1990)
Home Invaders: Asian Gangs in America

handle is hein.journals/polic13 and id is 164 raw text is: Home Invaders: Asian Gangs in America Tod W. Burke, St. Anselm Hampshire and Charles E. Washington University, W Abstract A specialized Asian gang has been identified within the United States. This gang, common- ly referred to as Home Invaders, travels across the country robbing, terrorizing and in- timidating Asian families who keep large sums of money and valuables within their residence. It is estimated that a great number of Home Invader robberies do not get reported to the police due to the perceived fear of retaliation by gang members. Although a number of Home Invaders have been arrested and convicted for their ac- tions, the actual number of members and their location is debatable. It is the purpose of this research to profile Home Invaders in order to assist law enforcement officials in identify- ing and preventing future gang violence within the Asian community. Introduction Gang violence is not a new phenomenon in the United States. For generations, criminologists have studied gang behavior/violence and membership to ascertain sociological and psychological profiles. It is the purpose of this article to focus upon the latest addition to gang violence in America - the Home In- vaders. Special attention will be devoted to profiling these violent intruders, as well as identifying their victims. In addition, the modus operandi (method of operation) of the gang members will be highlighted. Recommen- dations will also be made to police regarding crime prevention techniques to minimize the potential threat these invaders may have upon the community. Profiling the Home Invader Home invaders are young men who travel 154 College, Manchester, New O'Rear, George ashington, D.C., U.S.A. around the country terrorizing selected com- munity members until the victims surrender their valuables. What distinguishes these young men from basic robbers is the victim selection and their method of operation. According to the Fairfax (Virginia) Police Department, Home Invaders are a growing problem in the United States. This police agen- cy alone has handled seven reported Home In- vader robberies since January 22, 1990. The Home Invaders are young Asian males (usual- ly in their 20's although the oldest known member is 40) who work in groups ranging from 2 to 9 members. These organized gang members travel across the country and select Asian business owners as their primary vic- tims. This is due to the fact that many Asian families living in the United States have great distrust of the banking industry and therefore keep large amounts of cash and jewelry in their homes. Modus Operandi Entry into the victim's home is made by enter- ing an unlocked door or window or simply forc- ing their way into the home after a family member responds to a knock on the door. Home Invaders rely upon intimidation and the victim's fear of retaliation to complete their robbery. Intimidation includes: (1) threatening to kill the victim; (2) threatening to shoot the children (and actually placing the gun to a child's head); (3) firing warning shots within the home; and/or (4) tying the family up and threatening/committing battery. The perceived fear (by members of the Asian community) of retaliation is magnified by the criminal justice system in the United States, which releases suspected perpetrators back to the street pending trial. It is strongly be-

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