Key Facts
• On September 8, Nagasaki police concluded an investigation into a 57-year-old man.
• The suspect allegedly committed 58 thefts (including attempts) from July 2022 to May 2023.
• Total damages amounted to approximately 4.72 million yen ($32,000).
• He targeted homes with overgrown weeds or no lights at night.
• Items stolen included cash, bags, rings, and necklaces.
• He also mistakenly entered occupied homes, thinking they were vacant.
• Stolen goods were sold to secondhand dealers; he lived in internet cafes.
• The suspect claimed he used the money for living and leisure expenses.
• He was arrested in May for stealing a bag worth 300,000 yen ($2,000) in January.
• The case has been forwarded to the Nagasaki District Court Sasebo Branch.
Summary
A 57-year-old unemployed man in Nagasaki was accused of committing 58 thefts, targeting vacant homes identified by overgrown weeds and lack of lighting. The crimes, spanning from July 2022 to May 2023, caused damages totaling 4.72 million yen ($32,000). Items stolen included cash, jewelry, and bags, which were sold to secondhand dealers. The suspect, who lived in internet cafes, claimed financial hardship drove him to crime. He also mistakenly entered occupied homes. Arrested in May for a January theft, the case has been forwarded to court.
