TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 41-year-old man who while drunk is suspected of gashing more than one dozen luxury automobiles in Ota Ward last month, reports Nippon News Network (Feb. 18).
On January 6, the suspect allegedly used a coin to make a 2-meter-long scratch on a Toyota Celsior vehicle parked in the Minamimagome area.
The suspect, who has been accused of causing property damage, admits to the allegations. “After drinking, I used a 10-yen coin to scratch [the vehicle],” he was quoted by the Ikegami Police Station. “I did this once or twice.”
The suspect is also believed to have used similar means to damage 17 other vehicles by such brands as BMW and Jaguar. The cost to repair the vehicles is believed to have been several millions of yen, police said.
The suspect is a company employee living in Thailand. Prior to the incident, he was staying at the residence of his parents for the New Year’s holiday. The incident took place while he and an acquaintance were returning to the residence, police said.
The day after the incident, the suspect returned to Thailand. He became a person of interest in the case after an examination of security camera footage.
Police are now seeking a motive for the crime.
Update: Prosecutors did not prosecute the suspect. No reason for the non-prosecution was given.
