HYOGO (TR) – A 33-year-old police officer in Kobe City has been dismissed from the force after allegedly breaking into the home of a woman in her 90s and stealing cash to buy action figures, reports Mainichi Broadcasting System (July 24).
The senior police officer, formerly assigned to a station in the Tajima region, had previously visited the elderly woman’s home to investigate a separate theft. According to the Hyogo Prefectural Police, he used this inside knowledge to break into her residence through a window two years ago, making off with approximately 630,000 yen in cash.
The suspect brazenly attempted to burglarize the same residence again last year. However, during the attempted break-in, he accidentally knocked down a window screen. To cover his tracks, he approached the elderly victim, introduced himself as a police officer, struck up a brief conversation, and then left the scene.
His crimes unraveled when the woman’s relatives became suspicious and consulted with authorities, leading investigators directly to their own colleague.
During questioning, the disgraced officer admitted to the allegations. “I wanted money to buy figures,” he told investigators.
Papers were sent to prosecutors on July 24 charging him with theft and trespassing, and he was handed a disciplinary dismissal.
“We offer our deepest apologies,” the Hyogo Prefectural Police said in a statement.
