Police: Purse-snatchers target 12 'elderly Asian women'

Portland Police Bureau says four people are likely targeting pedestrians in Jade District.

Portland Police say a band of alleged purse-snatchers is targeting "elderly Asian women" in the city's Jade District.

The bureau's robbery detective unit has compiled as many as 12 reports of thefts and robberies dating back to early December.

"All of the cases have targeted elderly Asian women carrying purses in the area surrounding Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street," according to a news release.

Police say at least two of the alleged victims suffered minor injuries.

The Portland Chinese Times newspaper, which recently sat down with several police officers to alert them to the spree, reports that the suspects may be targeting Chinese speakers due to the language barrier that makes reporting crimes harder.

Police say they have located surveillance video of four people believed to be involved in the robberies. They are described as tall, thin African-American men between the ages of 16 and 20.

Robbery detectives announced they will conduct undercover missions in the Jade District until the suspects are caught.