Robbers Targeting Asian Restaurants in Atlanta Victimize at Least 14 Businesses

A robbery duo has reportedly been targeting Asian restaurants across the Atlanta Metropolitan Area over the last couple of months, local authorities revealed.

Since March, the same group of two males has hit 14 locations across three counties, with all the robberies happening at closing time. The men pistol-whipped female employees in at least two of the cases, reports WSB-TV.

According to the police, the pair robbed Asian restaurants in Loganville, Snellville, Grayson, Buford, Lawrenceville and Conyers. The suspects were described by the victims as two Black men who wore masks and dark clothing. One was said to be tall and slender while the other was short and stocky.

Aside from the restaurant earnings, the gunmen also stole keys, purses and wallets of employees, based on the police reports.

The Hong Kong Buffet in Loganville was attacked on May 5, with two of the robbers bursting in through the back door which was unlocked as employees were cleaning up and taking out the trash. After entering through the kitchen the group started pointing guns at everyone.

“The guy comes from the back door, and they just say, ‘Money, money,'” the owner was quoted as saying.

The owner said she gave them money as one gun was pointed at her, but they demanded more.

“They say, ‘More money, more money.’ So I was so mad. I already gave you money, right, so you wanted more? So I was so mad, I touched his gun, but he hit me,” the owner said.

When she tried to grab the man’s gun, he pistol-whipped her and then kicked and punched her.

On June 10, the same group attacked Happy China in Madison and pistol-whipped a 90-year-old employee. The group also struggled with another employee in a wheelchair and violently shoved a female employee to the ground. She ended up in the hospital for several days.

Last week, the Oriental Garden on Highway 78 in Loganville was also robbed by the same group.

“They always either cover their face with a hoodie, mask or bandana, so we don’t really have a good facial description at this point,” said Loganville police Assistant Chief Dick Lowry. “The same type of entry, came in through the back door, two male suspects, and they hit a young lady in the face with a pistol, too.”

The thieves also robbed Great China in Buford an hour later.

“I really don’t know why they’ve decided to target the Asian community, but that’s certainly what they’ve done,” Lowry said.

Local authorities are currently looking for the still-unidentified members of the crew with the help of the FBI.

Featured Image via Google Maps

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