5 arrests made in South Seattle home invasions targeting Asian Americans

Five people, including one teenager, were arrested in connection with a string of home invasions targeting Asian Americans in South Seattle, Police Chief Adrian Diaz announced Wednesday.

All five suspects were arrested for first-degree robbery. Police also recovered 14 handguns during the arrests, Diaz said. They’ll be tested to see if they’re connected to any shootings in the area.

During the press conference about the arrests, a reporter asked about the potential of these home invasions being charged as hate crimes. Diaz said they were considering it.

“That is actually one of the things that we are looking at charging them with,” Diaz said. He said police are working with King County prosecutors to make sure that all the required elements are met and they feel confident moving that case forward.

The first incident happened in June, Diaz said. The number of connected home invasions grew to 14 by the end of August. Some victims were pistol whipped.

"They're going after people they think are easy targets," said John O'Neil, police spokesperson in August.

Police previously described the suspects as working in groups ranging in size from three to seven people carrying guns who either rob people outside their homes or force their way inside to steal money and valuables. In one instance, a 10-year-old was led through a house at gunpoint while the family was robbed.

Diaz said police were still unsure why the Asian community in Seattle was the target of these crimes.

“We hope that this makes the community safe,” Diaz said about the arrests.

The FBI, Lakewood SWAT, and other SPD resources like their community response group were also part of the investigation that led to the arrests. Police also seized cash and drugs.