SJPD Arrest Suspect for Multiple Robberies of the AAPI Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Between April and August of 2022, San José Police Department Robbery Unit Detectives investigated a string of strong-armed robberies in which the suspect forcefully removed jewelry from the victims necks. The suspect displayed a pattern of targeting the AAPI community in North San José. In a coordinated investigative effort with several Santa Clara County Agencies, the suspect was identified as Lathan Johnson, a resident of East Palo Alto.

SJPD Robbery Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect and coordinated with the Santa Clara Police Department for the arrest. The investigation revealed the suspect was responsible for a number of robberies throughout Santa Clara County. 

On April 13, 2023, the suspect was held to answer as charged for 14 robberies, 14 hate crime allegations and three counts of bodily injury.

Anyone with information about these cases or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Perez #4624 of the San José Police Robbery Unit via email:  4624@sanjoseca.gov or 408-277-4166.

Submit crime tips and remain anonymous by using the P3TIPS mobile app, calling the tip line at (408) 947-STOP, or on www.svcrimestoppers.org. If the information you submit leads to an arrest, you are eligible for a cash reward from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.