The recent series of follow-home robberies in broad daylight in LA's Koreatown is raising fear among Korean residents. Just a week after armed robberies occurred in the heart of Koreatown at a bank and an outdoor parking lot, another armed robbery took place in a shopping mall parking lot in broad daylight, where a Korean woman had her purse stolen.

According to the LAPD's Olympic Division, at around 12:40 PM on the 21st, a report of an armed robbery was received at the parking lot of the 'City Center on 6th' located on 6th Street, prompting police to respond. The LAPD's investigation revealed that a male suspect approached a Korean woman in her car, pointed a gun at her, and demanded her purse.

The woman managed to escape from the vehicle, but the suspect grabbed her purse and fled in another car that was waiting nearby. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male around 30 years old with black hair. The LAPD is urging anyone who witnessed the suspect or has related information to contact them at 213-382-9460.

Previously, on the 15th at around 2 PM, a Korean individual was robbed in front of a Korean bank on Olympic Boulevard by a Black suspect who had followed them, taking a bag containing $3,000 in cash and checks worth approximately $10,000. The next day, on the 16th, at around 9:40 AM, another Korean was brutally assaulted and robbed of a watch and other belongings by a group of three armed Black and Hispanic robbers at a public parking lot at the corner of Wilshire and Harvard. This parking lot, owned by St. Basil's Catholic Church, typically has a security guard on duty and is frequently used by Korean drivers visiting the church or conducting other business. The occurrence of these robberies in broad daylight in highly populated areas has heightened the anxiety among Korean residents.

According to LAPD statistics, there have been 123 robbery incidents this year in the Olympic Division's jurisdiction, which includes Koreatown. Of these, 61 occurred on sidewalks and streets, 12 in parking lots, 9 in convenience stores, 6 in apartments and multi-family homes, 4 in markets, 3 in liquor stores, 3 at gas stations, 3 at bus stops, 3 in department stores, 2 in restaurants, and 1 in a clothing store.

The LAPD is urging people to be constantly aware of their surroundings to prevent follow-home and street robberies. A representative from the Olympic Division stated, "These days, you often see people walking on the streets while only looking at their phones. Just smiling at others passing by while walking can enhance your safety." Additionally, experts recommend changing your route and maintaining a confident demeanor if you feel someone is following you, and keeping valuables out of sight.

For business owners, the following precautions are advised to prevent robbery incidents:

Have at least two employees present during opening and closing hours.
Install an alarm system.
Place surveillance cameras in appropriate locations.
Keep the cash register balance low.
Deposit excess cash in a safe or bank as soon as possible.
Avoid using noticeable bags when transporting cash.
Other preventative measures include:

Monitoring visitor movement within the business.
Ensuring the counter area has a clear view of the outside and not covering windows with advertisements.
Keeping both interior and exterior lights on.
Getting to know the patrolling officers.
Being cautious during nighttime parking lot cleaning or trash disposal.
Reporting suspicious behavior to the police instead of confronting it directly.

<Hyungseok Han>