TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police on Saturday arrested a popular male comedian for the theft of school girl uniforms, reports the TBS News (Dec. 26).
On April 25, Kenichi Takahashi, 44, a member of the duo King of Comedy, is alleged to have illegally entered a high school in Setagaya Ward and stolen 24 items of clothing, including blazers and skirts.
A subsequent search of his residence in Ota Ward revealed 600 items of female clothing from more than 50 different schools packed into 70 garbage bags.
Takahashi, who has been charged with theft and trespassing, admits to the allegations. “I did it to satisfy my sexual desire,” the suspect is quoted by police. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years.”
Since January of last year, a high school in Koto Ward has experienced thefts of clothing on approximately 10 occasions. An examination of security camera footage revealed that a man carrying a backpack and using a lightweight truck was behind the crimes. Police later confirmed Takahashi to be the owner of the truck and his involvement in the Setagaya thefts.
In 2010, King of Comedy was named the top comedy team at the “King of Conte” awards show.
A representative of Takahashi’s agency, Production Jinrikisha, offered an apology for the incident. “But since we are seeking to confirm details of the case we do not have anything further to say.”
In 2007, Takahashi was arrested for molesting a high school student on a subway line in Tokyo. He was not prosecuted in the case.