HYOGO (TR) – Hyogo Prefectural Police last week arrested a construction worker for a second time for repeatedly stealing women’s undergarments in Kobe, reports Sankei Sports (Dec. 17).
On December 17, officers took Hiroki Kitakura, a 27-year-old construction worker, in custody for stealing five pairs of underwear from the home of a 47-year-old woman in Kita Ward on several occasions between October 20 through November 27.
A subsequent search by investigators of the residence of the suspect’s parents in Hiroshima Prefecture revealed 600 pairs of underwear, stockings and bras.
According to Tokyo Sports (Dec. 22), Kitakura, who also lives in Kita Ward, has been stealing women’s undergarments over a 15-year period. “I started in elementary school,” the suspect said in admitting to the allegations.
The suspect typically targeted clothing hanging out to dry on balconies. “I also went after those that had been tossed out,” he said. “Underwear that is stored in trash bags can have a strong smell.”
Police initially arrested Kitakura on November 27 for the theft of two pairs of undergarments from the home of a different woman.
“I was excited to imagine what the women had been wearing,” the suspect said.