TOKYO (TR) – Two men broke into an apartment in a residential neighborhood in Nerima Ward, stole cash from a woman and fled. They entered by bypassing the automatic lock, reports Nippon News Network (Apr. 3).
At shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, the intruders entered the apartment, where a family of four live.
According to police, the woman, aged in her 40s, was in the kitchen when she was suddenly grabbed from behind and punched in the stomach by the two men.
“Where’s the money?” one of them asked. “Don’t make a sound.”
They then stole 8,000 yen in cash from her wallet, the Shakujii Police Station said.
At the time, her husband, aged in his 50s, and their teenage daughter were also in the apartment. The men fled when the woman cried out. No other family members were injured.
The two men reportedly entered through an unlocked front door. The method used was what is known as “tailgating,” which involves following close behind an authorized person who has gained access.
Security camera footage from the apartment building showed the men following the victim’s daughter inside.
Both men are in their 20s to 40s. Standing approximately 1.7 meters tall, they were wearing black and khaki jackets, respectively.
Similar incident
A similar incident occurred in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture two days before.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., an emergency call was received. The caller said, “There are strangers in my apartment, and I’ve been punched in the face.”
When the 28-year-old female resident returned home, she found several unfamiliar people in her apartment. One of them was carrying a knife-like weapon.
The woman sustained minor injuries as a result of being punched in the face. A bag containing cash and other valuables was stolen.
Police are investigating the incident as a robbery resulting in injury and are searching for the perpetrators.
