Irvine : Robbers Terrorize Vietnamese Family
Police on Wednesday said a prominent Vietnamese family terrorized by five robbers may have been targeted because of the father’s involvement in the Vietnamese community.
The robbers forced their way into the home near Hendrix Street and Culver Drive at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday by threatening family members with a gun and a knife, Irvine Police Lt. Bob Lennert said.
They tied Thuan Phuc Nguyen, 40, a storekeeper, and covered his two daughters, a son and a cousin with a blanket in the main bedroom, police said. Nguyen was hit several times in the head and suffered minor injuries.
“There is an indication that these people knew him,” Lennert said. “They did their homework on him.”
Lt. Mike White said Nguyen had spoken to the Vietnamese community in opposition to gang violence.
Van Nguyen, 12, one of the daughters, told police that the robbers threatened to cut her ear off.
The robbers stole approximately $5,200 in cash, jewelry and a gun, police said.
Police described the robbers as Vietnamese ranging in age from 16 to 22.
Nguyen was treated at a local hospital and released.
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