KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 53-year-old convenience store manager in Kawasaki City on suspicion of attempting to extort a shoplifter for cash under the guise of a “settlement” earlier this year, reports Fuji News Network (May 30).
Akira Mochizuki, the manager of the FamilyMart Noborito Station store, is accused of detaining a male customer caught shoplifting in February.
According to police, Mochizuki took the man into the store’s back office and threatened him with physical violence and legal ruin. “It wouldn’t be a problem if I hit you in this situation, right?” the suspect allegedly told the victim.
He then issued an ultimatum: “Either pay up here, or get handed over to the police and throw your life away.” Mochizuki proceeded to demand 500,000 yen in cash to settle the matter privately.
During questioning, Mochizuki denied the specific allegations, telling investigators that his “memory is vague.” However, he made a startling admission regarding his past conduct, stating, “I have received about 2 million yen so far in the form of settlement money.”
The revelation has prompted police to launch a broader investigation into his activities. In 2025 alone, Mochizuki’s store filed 48 separate reports of shoplifting.
Authorities now suspect the manager has been systematically using the same extortion tactics on multiple culprits to line his own pockets.
