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More violence against day laborers reported.

Sep 22, 2006 02:59 PM PDT


There are more reports of violence against day laborers. Police are now investigating at least three cases in which victims have been robbed and stabbed after accepting a ride from a stranger.

It certainly isn't hard to find day laborers. On any given day parts of Bonanza are a popular pick up spot. And despite the attacks, the number of men looking for work hasn't gone down.

"They're good people, they want to work and make money."

He goes by the first name of Leo. A man with no intention of accepting a day job from strangers, Leo says instead he's out on the street protecting friends from jumping in the wrong car. "A lot of people come over and pick them up, they do the work, they take them somewhere, pull out a knife or gun. They rob, don't pay them for the work they've done."

Police say this week has been particularly bad with three reported cases of Hispanic day laborers being robbed and stabbed. On Tuesday a man died. Lieutenant Lew Roberts with Metro Homicide says the killers may consider day laborers easy prey. "If it doesn't feel right, don't get in the car. If somebody offers you more than the standard going rate, that could be a little suspicious."

Now police are fielding phone calls about surveillance pictures. Investigators think the two men shown in them are involved in the recent crime spree. "I think we're dealing with some suspects that are pretty brazen. Pretty violent. And have a blatant disregard for the public, they did it during the day," explains Roberts.

Back on Bonanza, Leo says day laborers have actually been targeted for a few months. But many victims, in the country illegally, are afraid to go to the police.

Police want to stress to workers in this case they're simply not interested in their residency status. If they've been a victim or think they can help with this investigation, they are urged to call police.