Lathan Johnson is the main accused in at least a dozen hate crimes and robberies targeting older Hindu women of Indian descent in Santa Clara county, Las Vegas. The District Attorney says that Johnson is being held in police custody without bail for targeting 14 Hindu women and robbing their jewelry. 

The police say that Johnson was involved in a robbery spree spanning the last two months where he assaulted Hindu women in traditional attire and robbed them of jewelry. His victims are reportedly aged between 50 and 70 years. 

Also read: Who was Alison Russo-Elling, FD New York Emergency Medical Services lieutenant stabbed in Astoria, Queens?

Who is Lathan Johnson? 

Lathan Johnson is a 37-year-old man who is in police custody for allegedly assaulting and robbing 14 Hindu women. He is a resident of East Palo Alto and has criminal records in Santa Clara and Alameda counties. 

Along with assaulting and robbing his targets, Johnson has also reportedly beaten up their husbands so that he can rob their jewelry. The recent round of incidents for which he is behind bars took place in Santa Clara, San Jose, Milpitas and Sunnyvale. 

Gold jewelry is an important part of Hindu culture and fashion and many Indian-origin residents in the US wear it regularly. Johnson reportedly took advantage of that and targeted his victims accordingly. 

Speaking to ABC7 Chicago, District Attorney Jeff Rosen explained Johnson’s modus operandi and how he attacked his victims. 

Rosen said that Johnson “Rips off their jewelry, drags them down the street breaks their wrist, beats up their husband and terrorizing them is much worse than a property thief.”

Also read: Las Vegas stabbing: Suspect Yoni Barrios appeared in court on Friday

“I say to our South Asian community that anyone who targets and attacks you will be arrested and dealt with the utmost severity under our law,” he added.

The estimated worth of gold jewelry robbed by Johnson is expected around $35,000. His next hearing is slated for November 4 and if convicted, he will a face jail term of maximum of 63 years.