TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 49-year-old office worker for allegedly stealing nearly 3 million yen worth of diamond jewelry during an exhibition at Tokyo Big Sight, reports TV Asahi (Aug. 25).
Yukiko Takahashi is accused of swiping two diamond rings and a diamond bracelet, valued at a combined 2.95 million yen, during a trade show in July.
Upon her arrest, Takahashi admitted to the allegations.
“I went to the booth, and as I was looking at them, I just wanted them,” she was quoted as telling investigators.
The theft took place on the opening day of a major jewelry exhibition, which had drawn a bustling crowd of over 4,000 visitors to the convention center.
According to police, the victimized booth was manned by about five employees at the time of the incident. Blending in with the flood of customers, Takahashi allegedly waited for a moment when the staff looked away to slip the merchandise into her tote bag. Investigators say she managed to pocket the three items in the span of just 10 minutes.
The interactive nature of the event may have provided the perfect cover for the crime. “We hold these exhibitions so people can see the items close up, and many dealers encourage visitors to physically pick them up,” one participating vendor noted. “It was a very open environment, which is likely how they were stolen.”
