Recently, burglaries targeting Asian immigrants, including Korean, have been on the rise in Northern New Jersey.

On March 25th, the Sheriff Offices in Bergen and Passaic Counties reported that a Korean church and more than 60 small businesses owned by Asians were hit by burglars, including nail salons, spas and restaurants. On January 14, a computer was stolen from the Stump Church in Demarest sometime between midnight and 7:00 a.m.

The Sheriff's Office said that the suspects may be the same ones who burglarized the China Express Restaurant last November.

Prosecutors said that "the recent burglary cases indicate the same method was used to enter the establishments, breaking a window or door, and taking away cash, cosmetics, cigarettes or computers. It appears they were all done by the same persons."

"Although the robberies target Asians-owned businesses, there appears to be no racial motive involved," commented Captain Anthony Serrano, of the Fairlawn Sheriff's Office. "The problem is that the incidents have occurred in a series." According to Serrano, the main reason that Asian businesses got targeted is because many of the merchants keep a lot of cash in the store.

The Bergen and Passaic Counties Sheriff's Offices are asking anyone with information to please call: 201-794-5410.