TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a South Korean national accused of stealing 15 books from a bookstore in Nakano Ward, the latest charge in a massive shoplifting spree involving over 10,000 items, reports Nippon News Network (May 8).
Cho Bo-chi, who also uses the Japanese alias Yasuharu Furuya, is suspected of swiping 15 books valued at 34,100 yen from the Nakano store in August of last year.
Upon his latest arrest, Cho completely denied the allegations, telling investigators, “I don’t remember.”
The investigation was launched after a bookstore employee contacted police, reporting, “A person we banned for repeated shoplifting has come into the store again.” An analysis of security camera footage subsequently linked Cho to the missing merchandise.
Police believe the suspect has been running a highly prolific retail theft operation. Since 2019, Cho is suspected of pilfering at least 10,000 books worth approximately 6 million yen, which he subsequently sold off for profit.
The suspect was already in custody following a previous arrest for a similar book theft at a store in Sumida Ward.
