By Tim Persyn
In what police described as a possible hate crime, two white Saratoga High School youths were attacked and beaten by a group of 12 to 15 Asian males at a Burger King restaurant at lunchtime on Feb. 23.
Hwan Jong Kang, an 18-year-old Saratoga resident and Saratoga High student, was booked for strong-arm robbery, a hate crime, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy. A 17-year-old male, whose name was withheld by police because of his age, was also booked for assault with a deadly weapon.
Witnesses told police that a group of Asian males beat and kicked two white youths outside the Burger King at 1007 S. De Anza Blvd. The attackers were reportedly yelling "Asian pride" and "Asian power" while beating the youths, San Jose police Sgt. Bob Beams said.
One victim had cuts on his back, face, chest and side and a footprint on his left side below his arm, Beams said. This victim also had a pager stolen during the attack.
Police said the parties involved may have clashed earlier at the high school.
Beams said police have identified two other suspects who are still at large, one a 17-year-old male, the other a 17- to 20-year-old male.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, March 13, 1996.
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