HIROSHIMA (TR) – Hiroshima Prefectural Police last month arrested a 66-year-old loss-prevention officer after he was caught red-handed shoplifting from the very home improvement center he was hired to protect in the town of Sera, reports TV Asahi (Oct. 29).
According to police, the store had been suffering from unexplained inventory discrepancies, prompting management to suspect persistent shoplifting. On October 27, plainclothes police officers staked out the sales floor alongside the store’s undercover anti-theft guard, known in Japan as a “manbiki G-man.”
During the surveillance operation, officers observed a man conceal a rubber rain boot under his clothing and exit the premises without paying. As the suspect walked toward a vehicle parked outside, officers swooped in and arrested him on the spot.
The thief was identified as Kiyoshi Tajiri, the 66-year-old undercover guard tasked with securing the store. In a bizarre twist, police discovered that Tajiri had stolen only a single boot rather than the pair.
Following his arrest, Tajiri admitted to the allegation, reportedly telling investigators, “I stole it because I needed it.”
Tajiri was referred to prosecutors on the morning of the 29th. Police suspect he may be responsible for other unresolved merchandise losses at the store and are continuing their investigation.
