TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 32-year-old company executive from Hiroshima Prefecture for allegedly acting as a “handler” for a criminal group that gathered in Shinjuku Ward armed with weapons to commit robbery, reports Fuji News Network (Nov. 12).
Riho Maehara was taken into custody on suspicion of preparing to commit robbery in the Yotsuya district in May.
According to police, Maehara allegedly directed a group of individuals who had assembled on the street carrying dangerous items, including tear gas spray.
The investigation into the criminal network, known as a tokuryu (meaning an ad-hoc group formed for specific crimes), has already resulted in the arrests of 14 other individuals, including recruiters and those tasked with carrying out the robberies.
Police have not disclosed whether Maehara has admitted to the allegations.
Authorities are currently investigating additional crimes linked to the suspect. Maehara was previously arrested by Hiroshima Prefectural Police in August for her alleged role as a recruiter in a separate case involving the confinement of a man and his subsequent forced transport out of the country.
