SEATTLE — Five of six suspects in a series of home invasion robberies that mostly targeted Asian Americans in south Seattle were arraigned Oct. 12.
Seattle police said they've been investigating 14 incidents since June and made the arrests on Sept. 27. According to police, the suspects have typically been a group of three to seven armed teenage males who have "accosted victims outside of their homes," forcing entry into their residences. During these robberies, the victims were assaulted or held at gunpoint.
During one of the home invasions, police said the suspects used a stun gun on a victim.
In another case, suspects pointed a gun at a 10-year-old.
It's unclear why the Asian American community was largely targeted in these crimes.
Prosecutors said in charging documents that they were pursuing gun charges against four of the defendants while the south Seattle home invasions remain under active investigation.
Hate crime charges could be filed if prosecutors feel they have enough evidence. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said it anticipates receiving additional information from police.
The five adult suspects, who were charged Sept. 29, are facing the following charges:
- Demarcus Pate, 28: one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Delauno Habtai, 26: three counts first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Tyrhone Marr, 32: two counts of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Javez Paul Tubbs, 31: One count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm
- Jaqawn Jamison, 24: One count of first-degree burglary, which is related to an incident in Des Moines in June
All five pleaded not guilty on Oct. 12.
A 16-year-old was also charged in connection to the robberies. KING 5 typically does not name minors involved in crimes. The teen was charged with three counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree robbery, first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree theft.
The teen pleaded not guilty Oct. 2.
In September, bail was set between $1.25 million and $2 million for Pate, Habtai, Marr and Tubbs. Jamison’s bail was set at $300,000.
During the Oct. 12, hearing a King County judge reduced Marr's bail to $500,000 and ordered electronic home monitoring if bail is posted. Jamison's bail was reduced to $50,000, and electronic home monitoring was ordered.