TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 49-year-old former plumber for allegedly stealing metal flush valves from public park toilets to sell as scrap metal, reports TBS News (Apr. 10).
Hisakazu Oba, currently unemployed, was caught red-handed on April 8 after swiping four flush valves — valued at approximately 100,000 yen — from two restrooms at a park in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, investigators on high alert spotted Oba emerging from a public toilet with an unnaturally bulging backpack. A subsequent search of his bag revealed the stolen brass components.
Upon his arrest, Oba fully admitted to the allegations. “They are easy to remove and sell for a high price,” the suspect told police. “Since last September, I’ve done this about 70 to 80 times. I used [the money] to place boat racing bets”
Investigators revealed that Oba had worked as a plumber for over 20 years before losing his job last June. He is believed to have utilized his specialized knowledge to quickly dismantle the plumbing fixtures, exchanging the metal parts for quick cash at scrap dealers.
Damages
The arrest comes amid a baffling wave of toilet vandalism across the metropolitan area. On April 9, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported that 22 flush valves had vanished from nine metropolitan parks — including Koganei and Toneri parks — over a two-week period in March alone.
Through analysis of security camera footage and interviews with metal recycling shops, Oba became a suspect.
The brazen thefts have cost the city approximately 1.2 million yen in damages.
Police are now investigating Oba’s connection to the widespread string of similar thefts that have plagued public parks across Tokyo and Saitama since last December.
