TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 37-year-old Chinese national for allegedly stealing a woman’s wallet on a JR Yamanote Line train following a lengthy stakeout by investigators, reports TBS News (July 29).
Qiao Shuai, whose occupation and address are unknown, was caught in the act on October 27. While riding a train between Ebisu and Meguro stations, Qiao allegedly reached into the shoulder bag of a 27-year-old female passenger and snatched her wallet, which contained approximately 44,000 yen in cash.
Plainclothes officers were already on high alert due to a recent surge of pickpocketing incidents on the busy loop line. Investigators spotted Qiao and tailed him for over three and a half hours as he repeatedly switched between the Yamanote Line’s inner and outer loops, scoping out potential victims.
He ultimately committed the theft right in front of the watchful officers and was immediately taken into custody.
During police questioning, Qiao denied the allegations, simply stating, “I did not steal the wallet.”
According to police, Qiao arrived in Japan on a short-term visa on July 20. Authorities are now investigating his potential link to seven other thefts that occurred on the Yamanote Line over a three-day period beginning July 22.
