Newton officials talk to residents about recent break-ins targeting Asians

NEWTON, Mass. — Newton officials held a Zoom meeting to address the series of break-ins that are seemingly targeting Asian people in town.

“I wanted all of us to be together tonight because rightfully our Asian neighbors are scared and feeling targeted,” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, who organized the call.

Police have already released video of the suspect at one of the homes targeted. And Newton’s new police chief, John Carmichael, asks neighbors down the block or around the corner to check video as well because he thinks whoever is behind this is working with others.

“There was a fair amount of goods taken out of these homes, it’s not likely that the perpetrators fled on foot, so they must have had a car someplace,” Chief Carmichael said.

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Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan was also on the call. She said people have a right to be secure at home.

“I think that the most important thing for people is that you feel safe in your home,” DA Ryan said.

She said the timing of these break-ins is curious, as if the suspect knew people would be gone long enough for him to get away.

And as far as this being a hate crime, DA Ryan said they are looking at it seriously.

“And we don’t know why they’re being targeted. But we know that we have Asian American families that are being targeted. And we need to take that as a hate crime,” DA Ryan said.

Police and the DA urge people to keep an eye on each other and to report any behavior that seems out of place.

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