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Grand theft auto: Tokyo cops nab pair suspected in more than 1,000 vehicle burglaries

Yoshio Hatsuki (left) and Noriyuki Okuyama
Yoshio Hatsuki (left) and Noriyuki Okuyama (TV Asahi)

TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two men suspected in more than 1,000 thefts from vehicles in the Kanto area, reports the Sankei Shimbun (Apr. 25).

On January 7 at 10:20 p.m., Yoshio Hatsuki, 46, and Noriyuki Okuyama, 42, allegedly broke into a vehicle parked on a road in Edogawa Ward and stole a shoulder bag.

Both suspects admit to the allegations.

Police believe that Hatsuki and Okuyama are behind more than 600 similar thefts in the Tokyo are in which the value of lost property totals 17 million yen.

According to TV Asahi (Apr. 25), the pair entered a targeted vehicle by smashing a window. A stolen motorcycle or vehicle was then used to flee a crime scene. The suspects also changed cars frequently and shaved off manufacturer logos to avoid detection.

Including incidents in Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures, the suspects are believed to have committed more than 1,000 thefts. Investigative sources believe that the case represents the largest string of thefts from vehicles on record.