TOCHIGI (TR) – Police here have placed a 48-year-old man on a wanted list for allegedly orchestrating the robbery and murder of a 69-year-old woman before fleeing to Southeast Asia, investigative sources revealed on May 29, reports Jiji Press (May 29).
Kazuhiko Masuda, whose address and occupation are unknown, is wanted on suspicion of robbery-murder. Tochigi Prefectural Police believe he was the mastermind behind a violent home invasion in the town of Kaminokawa.
According to police, Masuda allegedly conspired with married couple Kaito, 28, and Miyu Takemae, 25, along with four 16-year-old high school boys. On May 14, the group allegedly broke into the residence of Eiko Tomiyama with the intent to rob her, ultimately resulting in her murder.
Masuda’s involvement came to light after Kaito Takemae was apprehended at Haneda International Airport in the early hours of May 17. An analysis of Takemae’s smartphone revealed that Masuda, an acquaintance, had been directing the robbery remotely using a highly anonymous messaging app.
Investigators also found that prior to the fatal attack, Masuda had purchased a crowbar at a home improvement center in Kanagawa Prefecture and handed it over to the accomplices to be used as a weapon.
While his accomplices were being dismantled, Masuda slipped out of the country. He departed from Narita International Airport on May 17 on a flight to China. Investigative sources believe he merely used China as a transit point and is currently hiding out in a third country in Southeast Asia.
Tochigi police obtained an arrest warrant for Masuda on May 26 and officially released his photo to the public three days later.
Authorities are now preparing to request that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issue an order for Masuda to surrender his passport. Police also plan to place him on an international wanted list and will seek the investigative cooperation of local authorities in Southeast Asia to track the fugitive down.
