A woman accused of filing false domestic abuse charges against men as a ploy to burglarize their homes was arrested by Mountain View police on Thursday.
The suspect, Sunmee Kim, 44, first came to the attention of local police in January when she filed charges claiming her fiance had attacked her at their Mountain View home. She had no visible injuries, and she refused to give police her full name or any contact information, police said.
The man identified as her fiance denied that they were in a romantic relationship. They were actually housemates, he said. Police declined to identify him.
The man was arrested and reportedly detained for less than a day, then released without any criminal charges. While he was in custody, Kim allegedly raided his house, stealing various items. Police officials say they are not releasing specifics on the stolen items at this time.
Following the man's arrest, police began to suspect that Kim had lied to them, and a fraud detective was assigned to investigate her. According to Mountain View police, they soon discovered that she had pulled similar schemes against other men across the state.
In 2009, for example, she allegedly faked her own kidnapping in Los Angeles in an attempt to con a man she was staying with into paying ransom money.
A few years later, Kim reportedly pulled a similar domestic-abuse scheme against a businessman she was living with in Irvine, claiming he had hit her repeatedly and stole her possessions. He was arrested and later had a restraining order barring him from returning to his home. During this time, Kim reportedly burglarized his home, stealing cash and other belongings.
In that Irvine case, her victim later ended up suing the police department for $150,000 for failing to take reasonable steps to verify her claims, according to the Orange County Register.
Mountain View Police investigators found that Kim had active warrants out of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Police officers arrested her in Palo Alto on the outstanding warrant charges, and are currently working with Santa Clara County prosecutors to determine what criminal charges to file against her.
Detectives are currently building a case against her, and they believe there may be other victims who haven't come forward, said Mountain View police spokeswoman Katie Nelson.
"She was sentenced in Orange County for almost the exact same crime and then she disappeared for about five years," Nelson said. "This isn't something that happened out of happenstance. We're thinking her (modus operandi) is pretty prolific."
Many of Kim's victims located so far came into contact with her through the dating site KoreanCupid.com. She reportedly went by several different names, including Sunny Jean Kim, Jean Kim, Jiin and Ashley Kim
Anyone with information pertinent to the investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Frank Rivas at [email protected]
Comments
Monta Loma
on Jun 9, 2018 at 8:02 am
on Jun 9, 2018 at 8:02 am
Wouldn't give her name or contact information and no visible signs of abuse. So they arrested the man and she rips him off. Nice work MVPD. I smell another lawsuit a comin.
Old Mountain View
on Jun 9, 2018 at 9:29 am
on Jun 9, 2018 at 9:29 am
#himtoo
Registered user
Sylvan Park
on Jun 9, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Registered user
on Jun 9, 2018 at 6:28 pm
The falsely accused man was held "for lees than a day." That is what happens when you grab a roommate or sex partner online. The man is lucky to be alive. He should sue himself for stupidity. If she had a history of this, maybe the police could have been more skeptical. But he would have no luck suing the City. Maybe this time, she will get serious time in custody. State prison sounds appropriate. Perhaps she will plead temporary insanity. The Voice should follow the case - but probably won't.
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:13 am
Registered user
on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:13 am
This is the Modus Operandi of many females in our society today and the police work effectively with them.
This woman has a Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic, antisocial and probably would be diagnosed as Cluster B. Very good at manipulating their victims and the police.
Men need to be aware of these types and the police are always going to arrest the men even without any evidence of domestic violence because of the liability of not arresting them.
If they don't take the man to jail, what would happen to the police if he really was a threat. Lawsuit against the police.
I know a few guys this happened to and it ruined their lives, financially.
another community
on Jun 11, 2018 at 12:58 am
on Jun 11, 2018 at 12:58 am
Please correct the misspelling of "something" in this sentence:
"This isn't somethign that happened out of happenstance.
Thank you!
another community
on Jun 11, 2018 at 2:33 pm
on Jun 11, 2018 at 2:33 pm
It is about time that falser accusers were named for the public to see. Once false allegations are filed and become public, the damage to the defendant's reputation is done.
There is an arrest, jailing, posting of bail then court appearances. It is humiliating for the falsely accused. And it is a permanent public record.
Registered user
Waverly Park
on Jun 11, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Registered user
on Jun 11, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Was her "home" a trashed out camper blocking bicycle lanes on the street or a tent under a bridge? Enough is enough.
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Jun 11, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Registered user
on Jun 11, 2018 at 7:52 pm
The fact is:
1. Men are arrested on accusations just on the basis of liability to the police.
2. Men are less likely to file lawsuits against the police for false arrest.
3. The court system (Judges)are protected by absolute immunity unless challenged by public opinion. (Brock Turner Stanford rape case)This Judge was impeached and removed from the bench..WAY TO GO SANTA CLARA!!!!!!!!!!!!)
NOW, LET'S HELP MEN SO THEY CAN BE MEN FOR WOMEN!