South Bay woman accused of lying about domestic violence, looting homes
Sunmee Kim met her victims on Korean dating websites
“Kim’s abuse of services that should be used to help real victims of domestic violence is appalling, and we will do all we can to ensure she cannot ensnare and victimize again.” — Mike Canfield, police lieutenant
MOUNTAIN VIEW » For the second time this year, Mountain View authorities have arrested a 44-year-old woman they say lied about being a victim of domestic violence, then looted the homes of her alleged abusers after they were arrested.
Sunmee Kim — also known as Sunny Jean Kim, Jean Kim, Jiin and Ashley Kim — met her victims on Korean dating websites, developed relationships with them, then called police and claimed she was the victim of domestic violence, according to police.
“She would steal any and all valuables and also receive victim services,” Mountain View police said in a news release Wednesday.
In January, Kim told officers her fiancé attacked her, but she refused to provide her full name and contact information, according to police. The man, who was arrested at the time, denied they were in a romantic relationship, instead saying they were only housemates. Police said they released the man after determining he had not committed any crime. However, the residence was “cleared out.”
Detectives launched an investigation and learned Kim was wanted for similar crimes in Los Angeles and Orange counties, where she had been sentenced nearly five years ago.
Kim was arrested in Palo Alto in June. She was declared at-large again when she did not report to her probation officer for court appearances related to the Southern California cases.
Monday, detectives received a tip Kim was staying at a hotel in Burlingame and arrested her there. Police said a search of Kim turned up multiple credit cards belonging to additional victims.
Mountain View police Lt. Mike Canfield lauded his detectives for cracking the case.
“Kim’s abuse of services that should be used to help real victims of domestic violence is appalling, and we will do all we can to ensure she cannot ensnare and victimize again,” Canfield said.