CHIBA (TR) – Chiba Prefectural Police have apprehended four members of a ring who are suspected in the theft of hundreds of high-end vehicles over the past five years, reports TV Asahi.
In September of last year, police arrested Hasib Abdul, a 26-year-old native of Pakistan living in Sakura City, Chiba, another foreigner and two Japanese nationals over the theft of a car in Chiba City.
As the investigation continued, police connected the four to 336 thefts of sports cars and high-end vehicles in a number of prefectures in the Kanto area, including Chiba, Saitama and Ibaraki. They were further indicted for the latter crimes on Wednesday.
The group is believed to have repeatedly stolen high-priced vehicles such as Japanese sports cars and SUVs, with the total amount of damage amounting to more than 781 million yen.
The group is believed to have stolen cars by picking door locks with wires and then turning the key cylinders with tools. They are also believed to have used a piece of special equipment known as a “key programmer” that can disable a car’s anti-theft device.
Police are urging people to be vigilant and use steering wheel locks to prevent thefts.
