TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly stealing a backpack from spectators at the massive Sumida River Fireworks Festival, quoting him as saying he was completely out of cash, reports TV Asahi (July 27).
On July 25, as a staggering crowd of roughly 920,000 people gathered to watch 20,000 fireworks light up the night sky, Noriyuki Kagoshima allegedly targeted a group of three victims watching the display on the grounds of Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple.
Police say Kagoshima crept up behind the victims and snatched a backpack resting at their feet, which contained a smartphone and a wallet. The stolen items were valued at approximately 40,000 yen.
However, the suspect only managed to flee about 20 meters before investigators swooped in and arrested him in the act.
According to police, undercover officers had already been tailing Kagoshima for about two hours before the fireworks began. Investigators zeroed in on the suspect after noticing him repeatedly scoping out the bags of unsuspecting tourists in the crowded area.
During police questioning, Kagoshima admitted to the theft, citing severe financial desperation as his motive.
“I only had a few dozen yen on me, and I hadn’t eaten anything since the morning,” the suspect told investigators. “I came to Tokyo to play, but I ran out of money, so I stole someone’s bag.”
