San Mateo Home Invaders May Have Been Targeting Asian Sex Workers

SAN MATEO (KCBS)—Three suspects were in San Mateo Court last week facing robbery charges linked to the home invasion of an Asian prostitute. Investigators are saying this could be part of a ring targeting Asian sex workers.

The one female and two male suspects have a long history of violent robberies, the most recent, according to prosecutors was on July 11th when a witness saw a woman wearing only a T-shirt leaving her San Mateo apartment building with her hands bound behind her.

"She did not want help. She realized the witness saw what was going on and she specifically asked the witness not to call police, but the witness of course called the police anyway," said San Mateo County District Attorney Spokesperson Karen Guidotti.

She said a subsequent investigation led police to 32-year-old Jantar "Kelly" Phun who was found inside a car parked near the victim's home. Inside was the victim's ID, property and robbery tools like bolt cutters, zip ties, a police scanner and two guns, one of which was fake.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

Two others were arrested Phun's boyfriend 35-year-old Samay Pomsouvanh and 30-year-old Eddie Cheung. Phun has faced federal robbery charges before pleading guilty to participating in a December 2007 robbery of a San Rafael massage parlor.

The San Mateo prosecutor won't elaborate but said police in other cities are looking at connections between these suspects and other home invasions involving Asian sex workers.

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