KANAGAWA (TR) – Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 57-year-old unemployed man suspected of carrying out a staggering string of approximately 400 car break-ins across Tokyo and Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures, reports TBS News (July 22).
Isamu Kagiwatashi, of no fixed address, was re-arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a passenger vehicle from a convenience store parking lot in Ebina City in April of this year.
His latest arrest follows his capture last month in connection with a brazen daylight theft in Atsugi City. In March, security camera footage captured a man stepping out of a white vehicle in a parking lot, approaching the passenger side of a parked red car, and shattering the window. He then reached inside and made off with a bag containing approximately 52,000 yen in cash.
Upon questioning, Kagiwatashi admitted to the allegations in both cases.
Investigators believe the suspect was highly prolific, tying him to around 400 separate vehicle break-ins and thefts across the Kanto region between October of last year and June of this year.
When asked about his motives, Kagiwatashi reportedly told police, “I couldn’t think of any other way to make a living.”
