Bothell Police searching for three robbery suspects who they say targeted East Indian women



BOTHELL, Wash.  --  A community of women in Bothell are looking over their shoulders after police say thieves are targeting one culture in particular.

“Oh my God.  It’s very concerning because wearing gold necklaces is part of our culture for many Indian women,” says Jasjeet Kaur.

Bothell Police say three men are targeting East Indian women, robbing them in the parking lot of the Fred Meyer on Bothell Everett Highway.

Investigators believe the suspects are looking for gold necklaces, specifically targeting Indian women.

“It is called “mangalsutra”.

A lot of women wear them at the time of their wedding and they keep wearing them all the time. They don’t take them off,” says Kaur.

So far, three women have had necklaces ripped from their necks over the last four months; the latest robbery this past Sunday.

While it appears to be a new trend locally, Bothell Police say it’s not a new crime.

“I heard a lot of stories about it happening in India. It happens in Canada a lot and in other cities. We were feeling very safe here,” says Jasveer Nijjer.

While women in this Indian community are warning each other to be on the lookout, others are second guessing wearing their jewelry in public.

“I would suggest not wearing larger pieces of jewelry out in the open in public. Replace them with something more artificial,” says Ish Singh.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bothell Police.