AICHI (TR) – Aichi Prefectural Police on Thursday launched a robbery-murder investigation after the manager of a branch of a ramen chain was found bludgeoned in Kasugai City, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24).
At approximately 7:10 a.m., a delivery driver found Tensho Ogiwara, 35, collapsed inside a storage room of Umaya Ramen. Another male employee, 39, was found collapsed near a counter. Both victims appeared to have been struck repeatedly by blunt objects.
Ogiwara, who suffered severe injuries to his skull, was later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital, according to the Asahi Shimbun (Sep. 24). The second victim suffered a bone fracture around his right eye. His injuries are considered serious but not life-threatening.
According to police, at least 2.5 million yen in cash was missing from a safe in the office.
Police suspect that the perpetrator entered the establishment and committed the crime after the usual closing time of 4:00 a.m.
Umaya Ramen operates 31 branches in Gifu, Aichi, Mie and Shiga prefectures. The Kasugai branch opened in 2010.
