How killer cased victim's home
Jim Herron Zamora, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF
Published 4:00 am, Saturday, January 8, 2000
MARTINEZ - Mesa Kasem, who died Tuesday in a failed home robbery invasion, first visited the targeted Alamo home in November while delivering an item the doctor's family had purchased at an auction.
Kasem, who was employed at the time as a deliveryman and laborer for Somerset Auction Co.in Santa Clara, dropped off the item at the home of Kim and Winnie Fang, two well-known East Bay doctors, on Nov. 10. The item, which police would not identify, had been purchased by the Fangs three days earlier, investigators said.
Detectives now believe that after visiting the Fang home, Kasem decided to return and rob it.
"He must have seen something there that he liked," Capt. George Lawrence of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department said Friday of Kasem's Nov. 10 visit to the Fang residence.
On Tuesday night, Kasem, 22, returned to Alamo allegedly with fellow Stockton gang member Soknoeun Nem, driving a car they rented in Stockton and carrying a semiautomatic handgun police believe they stole in another robbery on Monday. Lawrence said they burst into the Fang home intent on robbery, but instead encountered fierce resistance from the well-armed doctor and his family.
In the fight and shootout that followed, Kasem and Kim Fang,
49, were killed. Nem, 21, and Winnie Fang, 45, were wounded. Nem was also beaten by family members. The family's nanny, Melee Jung, suffered head injuries when she was pistol-whipped.
Sheriff's deputies say that Kasem and Nem acted alone. "We believe there were no other accomplices," Lawrence said.
But investigators are combing the records of the Somerset Auction Co. to determine if any other homes Kasem visited as a deliveryman have been robbed or burglarized. They do not believe the men committed any other crimes in Contra Costa County, but Lawrence said that his department will send out a Teletype on the case to every law enforcement agency in the state.
Reviewing unsolved crimes
Stockton police also said Friday they were trying to determine whether Nem and Kasem are linked to any unsolved crimes in that city. Police confirmed that they were reviewing unsolved robberies and burglaries.
Police said Kasem may have taken part in a home invasion robbery Monday in Stockton of a family that purchased goods through Somerset auctions years ago. One of two 9mm handguns that investigators say was used in the Alamo robbery attempt Tuesday was stolen during that robbery, but police said it didn't appear that Kasem
ever visited the Stockton home in the course of his employment at the auction house.
Stockton resident Kim Chau told the Stockton Record she believes Kasem was among four masked men who robbed her Monday. She said the men left her home with the 9mm pistol and a .22-caliber weapon, her gold necklace, a ring, a diamond pendant and children's jewelry. They also took about $3,200 in cash, she said. She said investigators told her that Kasem probably targeted her through purchase records kept at Somerset Auctions.
Somerset Auctions was closed Friday and no one from the company could be reached for comment. Officer Doug Anderson, spokesman for the Stockton Police Department, confirmed Friday that Kasem and Nem were considered suspects in the Chau robbery, but declined further comment.
Chau said she and her husband attend many auctions in many cities, and went to Somerset Auctions in Santa Clara several years ago.
Paroled felon
Kasem, a paroled felon who was nearly deported back to his native Cambodia last year, worked at the auction house from the beginning of November until just before Christmas. He left the job without notice during the holidays. At the time he was staying with his girlfriend in the South Bay but fre
quently visited his old North Stockton neighborhood on weekends, investigators said. Investigators believe that is where he linked up with Nem, who is also a Cambodian native.
Stockton police said Kasem had four felony arrests dating back to 1994. He had been arrested at least twice for felonies involving firearms. But Anderson, of the Stockton Police Department, declined to give details, saying that most of the arrests occurred when Kasem was a juvenile.
Lawrence said that investigators "may never know" the exact sequence of events during the shootout at the Fang home Tuesday. Investigators were hoping to interview Winnie Fang to hear her side of the incident. Winnie Fang, an anesthesiologist, has been released from the hospital after treatment for her gunshot wound.
"It is still unclear who shot first (and) who fired the fatal shots into Dr. Fang," Lawrence said.
The two men forced their way into the house after Winnie Fang opened the door to see who was outside. She resisted. Her husband, who was working upstairs, came downstairs with a .38-caliber handgun and opened fire on the intruders, apparently hitting Kasem three times - in the temple, chest and upper thigh, Lawrence said.
In the exchange, Kim Fang was shot twice in the back. Both
rounds exited his chest. He died at the scene. Lawrence said it was not clear if Fang was retreating from the gunmen or if one of the robbers surprised him from behind.
Nem was being held without bail at the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez on Friday pending charges. Deputy District Attorney Harold Jewett said his office may charge him with murder for Fang's death as early as next week. He said Nem may also be charged for Kasem's murder under California's "provocative act" law. That law allows someone who participated in a violent felony that left an accomplice dead to be charged with the murder of the deceased criminal.
Nem will likely be charged with one or more counts of attempted robbery, as well, he said.
Jewett said that Nem is currently being held on a parole violation to give prosecutors and investigators more time to build their case. <
Tragic.
I know many cops that worked in Lafayette, WC, Danville, Orinda & other upper class areas-they told me all about it…the parents gave them cars at 16 & the parents were 100% into their social life & the kids did whatever they wanted..when they leave home– they continue partying, drinking & doing stupid things..Karma is a bitch– deal with it
So sad for the families.
the DRIVER of the car was 26.
I hope you know your negative attitudes about innocent kids is going to come back to you, and I hope you never have to face this tragedy with your own kids one day, because I bet you won’t too pleased when some ignorant jackass writes on a blog the way you have about these kids.
get a life douchebag.
Its a blog people….its their choice to read this.
Also- live fast, play hard….die young
Missy.. it appears you do not work the streets of WC,,,but trust me– the kids there think they are above the law & yes..cops do talk about what goes on with their friends…
For everyone in this world that says things like “everything is meant to be” is so full of bull its rediculous. ANYTHING can happen in this life. be real. dnt waste it
Officer…Missy.
I am all ready to take you seriously.
Condolences for your family. My son knew your brother and Christian and liked them both. They were good kids. Disregard all the stupid comments. Some people just have no compassion.
This is the Appeal To Authority argumentative fallacy…which basically means you claim “to know” some authority figure(s) on a particular subject, as if that somehow lends credence to what you have to say. It doesn’t. It means you’re full of shit.
Sad event. Truely I am sorry for the family and friends BUT they are very lucky their stupidity did not kill somone else. When you break the law there are consequences…why you think we have laws so things like this do not happen (if people were respectful enough to obey them). Speeding, drinking, no seat belts three strikes you’re out…sorry. I am sorry for the family really but there are always consequences to your actions.
Must be 18 years or older to gamble here
No one under 18 allowed in the gaming area
Must show a valid photo identification for entry
No alcohol served or allowed on the premises
No cameras allowed in gaming area
No audio or video equipment allowed
No firearms, drugs, or pets allowed on property
If you can buy alcohol in that casino I’ll make your car payments for one year.
You really should avoid the X.
I apologize if it seems that I’m negelecting the familes of Kevin M. (The sole survivor) and Chris (the driver whom is also deceased). I did not know them and I have not heard any updates. But my heart goes out to those families.
If anything, the parents are older and more mature and educated in the wealthy areas, not young parents “100% into their social lives”
Stop and observe the tragic loss of two kids and stop being a judgmental piece of sh*t
Despite the circumstance, these were young kids. Boys will be boys, they weren’t criminals, they made bad choice as teenagers do, and it got them killed.
You’re worse than scum on the button of my shoe. Deal with it.
It’s Krystal (Krissy) from New Hope.
I offer many thousands of condolences and prayers to you and the family right now. Find joy in the fact that Maurice knew The Lord and that he’s in a place you me and everyone else is working toward getting to. Know that one day you will see his face again and that he’s with our Heavenly Father. Love you all. See you all Thursday.
Bless you.
You are brave and strong to write here, and we all appreciate it. Because we are hurting too at the loss of young men, even if we didn’t know them personally. We know how much it hurts the families and as part of the community, we hurt with you. Anyone with a heart feels for your loss, and your family’s. Don’t waste your time with jerks like George. The people who count are here with you, even if they don’t know you, like me. My daughter knew your brother (she’s a good friend of your other brother) and what I know is that everyone who knew or has heard about this (unlike the “Georges” out there), is terribly sad. We all know at any one point in our lives it couldn’t have happened to us as teens or could happen to our teens. You are right, the non-drivers were not in control of that car. And even the driver didn’t deserve this outcome. No one does. We are all lucky to live past mistakes, only some are not as lucky who don’t. Hold onto the good memories of your brother and his friend and know they’re at peace even though this time is hard for you and your families.
George you are an ignorant bast****! What how much money or lack there of does not make it remotely ok for you to claim that is why this happened, anyone is capable of making a life changing mistake. I am sure you are no saint!. JEALOUSY is not a valid argument in disrespecting the families that lost loved ones. I pity you! My prayers go out to the families of those involed in this crash!
As for the comments about “UPPER class” areas. It’s too bad people think that way, it just divides us further. I have known nasty crooked people who are both rich and poor. There are “Upper class” people in ALL areas where we live and breath. Material wealth and geographic area have nothing to do with being classy. Attitude makes us classy.