KANAGAWA (TR) — Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested two men in their 40s for allegedly assaulting and robbing a woman at her apartment in Yokohama City shortly after they were released from prison, reports Nippon News Network (Apr. 21).
Ken Murakami, 45, and Yukio Kaji, 41, are accused of breaking into the 28-year-old woman’s residence in Kanagawa Ward via the balcony at around 8:30 p.m. on April 1.
When the woman, who lives alone, returned home, the two suspects reportedly threatened her with a bladed weapon, punched her in the face causing minor injuries, and stole her wallet and other personal belongings before fleeing the scene.
According to investigative sources, security camera footage led police to the two men. Arrest warrants were issued on April 7, and they were placed on a nationwide wanted list.
Murakami was apprehended in Tokyo on April 14, followed by Kaji, who was taken into custody with the cooperation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police on the afternoon of April 21.
Upon their arrest on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury, both suspects admitted to the allegations.
Past crimes
Sources reveal that the two men had only just been released on parole earlier this year after serving lengthy prison terms for past crimes.
According to investigative sources, in 2006, Kaji was arrested by Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the Kanagawa Prefectural Police on charges of robbery and robbery-rape for breaking into a woman’s home, threatening her with a knife, stealing her cash card and sexually assaulting her. He received an 18-year prison sentence.
Meanwhile, Murakami was arrested by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police in 2007 on charges of rape resulting in injury and attempted robbery-rape against multiple women. He received a 19-year prison sentence.
Met in prison
The two suspects are believed to have met while serving their sentences at Yamagata Prison in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. Both were released earlier this year after their sentences were reduced due to their exemplary behavior.
They had both started working for the same company in Tokyo. However, they successively stopped showing up for work around the end of March and their whereabouts have been unknown.
Since the end of last month, nearly 10 incidents have occurred in Yokohama, Tokyo’s Nerima and Setagaya wards and other areas, where two men have broken into homes, threatened victims with knives and stolen money. There have also been cases involving sexual assault.
In these cases, the perpetrators gained entry to buildings through unlocked front doors or by following residents inside to bypass the automatic locks.
Investigations into additional charges are ongoing.
