TOKYO (TR) – Police have arrested a 27-year-old organized crime member accused of acting as the mastermind behind a plot to steal gold bars in Edogawa Ward earlier this year, reports Fuji News Network (Nov. 13).
Yutaro Sugimoto, a member of a group affiliated with the Sumiyoshi-kai yakuza syndicate, was taken into custody on charges related to conspiracy to commit robbery.
In May, Sugimoto directed a crew to prepare for the armed heist. According to police, the suspects had armed themselves with knives and pepper spray in anticipation of the robbery.
Five other individuals have already been arrested in connection with the failed scheme.
Authorities believe Sugimoto, operating under the alias Bio Jiro, utilized a highly encrypted messaging application to command the robbery team. Transcripts of the messages recovered by Tokyo police show the suspect providing specific instructions, including: “It’s looking like 9:00 to 10:30 in Koiwa,” and “Make sure you confirm the backpack is loaded before you make your move.”
Tokyo police have not disclosed whether Sugimoto has admitted to the allegations.
