TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested a 65-year-old American tourist for allegedly defacing a torii gate of Meiji Shrine in Shibuya Ward earlier this week.
On Tuesday morning, Steven Lee Hayes allegedly carved his family’s names onto the wood gate with his fingernails. Police believe it was done as a prank, reports NHK (Nov. 14).
Upon his arrest, Hayes admitted to the allegations, police said.
According to police, five letters, each around 135 centimeters off the ground, were carved into the pillar. They are believed to represent the names of the suspect’s family.
After the incident, a representative of the shrine noticed the vandalism and called police.
Hayes surfaced as a person of interest after an examination of security camera footage.
The suspect is in Japan on a vacation trip with his family. The investigation is ongoing.
