Robert Chae’s story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. He came from humble beginnings in South Korea and built a successful life in the United States through hard work. But in January 2009, his life ended in a shocking and violent way that left his family and community deeply disturbed. What first looked like a simple robbery soon revealed a much darker truth.
The Night of the Crime
In January 2009, Janice Chae made a panic call to the police. She said that three armed men had entered their home in North Wales. The men were not even hiding their faces, which already made the situation unusual.
While Janice managed to run to a neighbour’s house for help, her husband Robert and their adult children were trapped inside. The attackers tied up the children with duct tape and held Robert separately in the garage.
By the time the police reached the house, the attackers had already escaped. The children were found alive, but Robert was not so lucky. His head had been wrapped tightly in duct tape, leaving only his nose open. His hands were tied behind his back.
The level of violence shocked even experienced investigators. It was clear this was not a normal robbery.
A Brutal and Unusual Murder
Doctors later confirmed that Robert died due to asphyxiation. Because his face was covered with tape, he could not breathe properly. Blood from his injuries had no way to escape and went down his throat.
This made the crime even more disturbing. Investigators could not understand why such extreme force was used for what seemed like a robbery.
The attackers stole around $20,000 in cash, along with jewellery and handbags. But the big question remained — how did they know about the safe in the house? And why would they show their faces if they didn’t want to get caught?
Who Was Robert Chae?
Robert Chae was not just a businessman. He was known in his community as a kind and helpful person. After moving from South Korea, he worked hard and became the owner of a beauty supply store in Philadelphia.
He believed in helping others and often gave jobs to people who were struggling, including those without homes. His death shocked not only his family but also the entire local community.
At that time, there were also concerns about rising crimes targeting Asian Americans. Some believed criminals assumed Asian families kept cash at home and were less likely to report crimes.
The Investigation Takes a Turn
As police started investigating, small details began to stand out. Janice mentioned that the attackers were talking on mobile phones while moving around the house.
This helped police track phone activity in the area. They also created sketches based on descriptions given by the family.
A major breakthrough came when a garbage collector reported seeing a suspicious SUV near the house days before the incident. Police then tracked burner phone numbers that were active around the time of the crime.
One of those numbers led them to someone close to the family — Angelo Shin.
A Shocking Betrayal
Angelo Shin was not a stranger. He was Robert’s nephew and had even lived with the family for some time. This made the discovery even more shocking.
When police questioned Angelo, he quickly confessed. He admitted that he had shared information about the family’s money with a local man named Joseph Page.
Angelo claimed he only meant to plan a robbery and never expected things to turn violent. But Joseph involved more people, and the situation got out of control.
The group planned the break-in, with some entering the house and others waiting outside. Their goal was to steal money, but during the robbery, Robert was attacked and killed.
Justice and Punishment
After the investigation, several people were arrested and charged. Some pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, while others went to trial.
Here is a simple overview of the outcomes:
| Name | Role | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Angelo Shin | Planner | 20–40 years |
| Joseph Page & others | Attackers | Up to life imprisonment |
| Karre Pitts | Accused | Acquitted |
The court made it clear that even if the plan was robbery, the result was a murder, and everyone involved had to face consequences.
