Construction worker allegedly murdered in series of robberies targeting Hispanic community

In 2022, the Birmingham Police Department began noticing a frightening trend, an unprecedented number of robberies targeting the Hispanic community. BPD tells WVTM 13 that at least 40 attacks targeting the group occurred in October alone. The last robbery ended with the murder of Roman Gonzales. Gonzales was working in Ensley renovating a house. This incident is heartbreaking for the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama. “They’re just trying to support their families and take care of their own business,” HICA deputy director Carlos Aleman said. “For someone to come in and kill him in a robbery attempt, that’s something we have to figure out how to solve.” Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said the Hispanic community could be vulnerable to these types of crimes as they often carry large sums of cash and lack confidence in law enforcement due to their immigration status. “, Fitzgerald said. “It has nothing to do with our mission, which is to protect you.” Since November, one person has already been arrested for robberies targeting the Hispanic community. Evontay Blevins is in prison and faces to over 30 charges of robbery Another suspect, Jakobie Smith, is still at large. someone’s life,” said Fitzgerald. HICA is warning the community to be alert, stay aware of the surroundings and avoid carrying large sums of cash. BPD is determined to find the group responsible for these crimes. “As a police officer, you want to help,” Fitzgerald said. “You want to do whatever you can to protect. Unfortunately, we were unable to do so. Our main priority is just to get the group responsible for this off the streets.” The police department is asking construction groups to let them know if they plan to bring workers out late at night so they can send in cops in the area to patrol.

In 2022, the Birmingham Police Department began noticing a frightening trend, an unprecedented number of robberies targeting the Hispanic community.

BPD tells WVTM 13 that at least 40 attacks targeting the group occurred in October alone.

The last flight ended with the murder of Roman Gonzales. Gonzales was working in Ensley renovating a house.

This incident is heartbreaking for the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama.

“They’re just trying to support their families and take care of their own business,” HICA deputy director Carlos Aleman said. “For someone to come in and kill him in a robbery attempt, that’s something we have to figure out how to solve.”

Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald said the Hispanic community could be vulnerable to these types of crimes as they often carry large sums of cash and lack confidence in law enforcement due to their immigration status.

“You deserve to be safe even if you’re not here legally,” Fitzgerald said. “It has nothing to do with our mission, which is to protect you.”

Since November, one person has already been arrested for robberies targeting the Hispanic community. Evontay Blevins is in jail and faces more than 30 robbery charges. Another suspect, Jakobie Smith, is still at large.

“Any time you see a group of individuals bold enough, and just contempt for life to rob a group of hard-working individuals, they definitely have the ability to take someone’s life,” Fitzgerald said. .

HICA warns the community to be alert, to stay aware of the surroundings and to avoid carrying large sums of cash.

BPD is determined to find the group responsible for these crimes.

“As a police officer, you want to help,” Fitzgerald said. “You want to do everything you can to protect. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that. Our main priority is just to get the group responsible for this off the streets.”

The police department is asking construction groups to let them know if they plan to bring workers out late at night so they can send cops to the area to patrol.

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