TOKYO (TR) — Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 63-year-old unemployed man suspected in a string of dozens of residential burglaries across Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture, reports TBS News (May 13).
Teiichi Okimura stands accused of breaking into an unoccupied residence in Nerima Ward on the 16th of last month, making off with approximately 1,000 yen in Japanese currency and 3,300 U.S. dollars — a total haul valued at roughly 520,000 yen.
During questioning on suspicion of theft and trespassing, Okimura, who lives in Nishitokyo City, admitted to the charges, stating that he was “in financial trouble.”
Following a surge in residential break-ins in the Nerima area since November of last year, police placed investigators on high alert.
Their stakeout paid off when Okimura suddenly appeared at a target property and proceeded to break into the home right in front of the watching detectives.
According to police, Okimura’s signature method involved using a screwdriver to shatter the glass of back-door windows to gain entry into empty homes.
Authorities are now working to formally link him to over 50 similar burglaries across the capital and neighboring Saitama.
