Disturbing Trend In Robberies Against Latinos

Police in north Charlotte are seeing a disturbing new trend in robberies against Latinos.

"It bothers me that people are victimized because of who they are," Police Captain Michelle Hummel said.

Hummel told Eyewitness News some criminals are now robbing Latinos not only of their money, but also their vehicles. That's what happened at an apartment complex on Frew Road in north Charlotte Monday night. But that's not where the crimes stopped. After the carjacking, officials said the suspects robbed and beat a man on Canterwood Drive just a short distance away.

Then, police said, the suspects shot at two people on nearby West Arrowhead Drive.

Latino advocate Angeles Ortega-Moore thinks criminals who target Latinos should be charged with hate crimes.

"Because you are going after a certain population, you are targeting individuals because you know they may not be going to the police. That is targeting a particular group of individuals," Ortega-Moore said.

Police arrested three suspects involved in Monday night's crime spree. They are still looking for two more.

For years, police have been educating Charlotte's Latino community on how not to be a victim. Hummel said that education is an ongoing process.