TOCHIGI (TR) – Police in Utsunomiya City have arrested a married couple who manage a convenience store after they allegedly threatened two customers and attempted to extort their personal information following a bathroom break, reports Nippon News Network (July 20).
Shinobu Yanai, 48, and his 49-year-old wife, Mie, were taken into custody on the 19th on suspicion of attempted coercion.
The bizarre altercation unfolded shortly after 4:00 a.m. on the 13th. A man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s stopped at the store to use the restroom. A sign inside the toilet informed patrons that they were required to purchase goods if they used the facilities.
When the pair emerged, a store clerk reminded them to buy something, prompting the victims to purchase cheap traditional sweets (dagashi).
However, the Yanai couple allegedly took issue with the customers’ attitude and initiated a fierce confrontation. According to police, the owners began hurling threats at the pair, shouting, “We will sue you for damages,” “We will have you arrested,” and “Don’t make a fool out of convenience stores!”
The suspects then allegedly attempted to force the victims to write down their names, addresses, and phone numbers under the threat of a lawsuit.
Refusing to cave to the intimidation, the victims phoned a relative for advice on the spot, walked out of the store without handing over their information, and immediately filed a police report.
According to locals, the store is notorious in the neighborhood for altercations. “There was often trouble with customers,” one regular patron said. “You’d frequently see police cars in the parking lot.”
Upon arrest, the couple denied the allegations. “We were just trying to exchange contact information, we didn’t threaten them,” they told investigators. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
