The most recent theft case occurred at 11:22 p.m. on July 28 at a Korean American-run restaurant located at 3rd Street and Hobart Boulevard. An employee’s bag was stolen from the restaurant.
The owner of the restaurant, Mr. Kang, shared details of the theft with the Korea Daily on July 31. According to Kang, a black male approached the employee and asked to use the restroom. On his way out, the suspect apparently checked the curtained locker designated for employee belongings. The security camera footage captured the suspect returning and stealing one of the employee’s bags.
The female employee lost $200 in cash, a credit card, and her driver’s license during the robbery. The presence of her home address on the driver’s license has heightened her concerns about potential repercussions. She reported the incident in person to the police station but was advised to file an online report.
Mr. Kang’s complaint about police inaction is not an isolated case. Last month, the Wilshire Center-Koreatown Neighborhood Council (WCKNC) received five complaints regarding theft cases in restaurants. All the complaints highlighted the police’s lukewarm response to such incidents.
LAPD Public Information Officer Tony Lim explained that response times may be affected by prioritized incidents and the presence of the perpetrator at the scene. While he encourages reporting, he clarified that investigations might stall due to insufficient evidence.
In response to the escalating concerns, the WCKNC held an emergency meeting with the Olympic Community Police Station on July 26. The focus of the meeting was to address security issues in Koreatown, particularly related to burglaries and robberies. The attendees discussed the possibility of expanding online reporting as an essential measure to respond quickly to violent crimes despite limited police resources.
Unfortunately, thefts in Koreatown have been on the rise year after year, creating anxiety among the local community. The Olympic Police’s crime statistics indicate that 827 theft cases have been reported so far this year through July 22. This reflects a 9.2% increase compared to the same period last year (751) and a significant 17% increase from 2021 (641).
In a separate incident on June 5, two Hispanics stole a Korean American woman’s purse while she was dining at a restaurant in Koreatown. In another incident in May, a diner at a restaurant near Western Avenue and 12th Street had her purse stolen from the seat next to her, resulting in about $16,000 in losses, including luxury items and cash.
The situation calls for increased vigilance and cooperation between businesses, residents, and law enforcement to combat the rising tide of burglaries and thefts in Koreatown.
BY SUAH JANG, YEJIN KIM [kim.yejin3@koreadaily.com]
