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Ibaraki police investigating huge theft of melons

About 1,400 melons have been stolen in Ibaraki Prefecture
About 1,400 melons have been stolen in Ibaraki Prefecture

IBARAKI (TR) – Ibaraki Prefectural Police are investigating the theft of a large quantity of melons from a farm in the town of Ibaraki, reports Fuji News Network.

On May 11, a farmer noticed approximately 1,400 Rupia Red melons were missing from inside six greenhouses on the farm, located in the Miyagasaki area. The fruits, which have red flesh and a high sugar content, are valued at approximately 700,000 yen. He subsequently reported the theft, which is believed to have taken place between May 9 and the day of the discovery, to a police box.

“It’s unfortunate,” the farmer is quoted by Fuji News Network. “1,400 melons, that’s quite painful.”

In harvesting melons, farmers use a variety of means for cutting the stalk. In the theft, the farmer observed that the means of cutting was different from his method.

Ibaraki police regularly receive reports of thefts from farmers in the area. On May 2, a farmer in Hokota City reported the loss of 200 melons, which were valued at approximately 120,000 yen, according to the Sankei Shimbun (May 3)