NAGANO (TR) – Police here arrested two teenagers on suspicion of property damage after they stormed a police station armed with iron pipes on Tuesday night, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (May 27).
Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the pair used iron pipes measuring roughly one meter in length to smash approximately 10 glass panes at the front entrance and the first-floor night duty room of the Iida Police Station.
When officers ordered the intruders to drop their weapons, the youths refused. As the suspects continued to aggressively advance into the station while shattering glass, two officers drew their service handguns and issued a final warning. The teens then dropped the pipes and were subdued on the spot. Police confirmed no shots were fired.
Flying glass shards left five police officers and one of the suspects with minor cuts to their hands and faces.
The suspects have been identified as a 17-year-old self-professed company employee from Iida City and an 18-year-old unemployed male from Komoro City. Upon their arrest, both admitted to the allegations.
Authorities are currently investigating the relationship between the two youths and the motive behind the brazen attack. The Iida Police Station is located in the center of Iida City, a municipality of roughly 90,000 residents in southern Nagano.
