TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested two men who are suspected of being “hugging pickpockets,” meaning a person who pretends to assist a drunk pedestrian but in fact steals their wallet or other valuables.
At around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, Koichi Ryu, 55, and Yoshinobu Oshiro, 65, allegedly stole a wallet containing 9,000 yen in cash and a driver’s license from a drunk man, 42, passed out on a sidewalk in Shinjuku Ward, reports TBS News (Dec. 29).
During questioning, Ryu admitted to the charges. “I had no money and was struggling to make ends meet, so I committed the theft,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oshiro denied the charges. “A man suddenly collapsed in front of me, so I just helped him up,” he said.
According to police, Oshiro initially put his arm around the man’s shoulder pretending to help him and tried to open his bag from behind, but was unable to do so, so the two left the man.
They then approached him again, and Oshiro removed the wallet from the man’s right jacket pocket.
The two were apprehended on the spot by investigators from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police who were on alert.
There have been several cases of theft known as “hugging pickpockets” in Shinjuku Ward, where perpetrators pretend to help victims by putting their arms around their shoulders or giving friendly hugs as touts. They then steal wallets, smartphones and other items.
Police are investigating the possibility that the two men may have committed other crimes.
