FUKUOKA (TR) – Police here have arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of breaking into a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet and making off with a cash-filled safe, it was announced Monday, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Apr. 27).
Shotaro Sada, a 44-year-old self-employed resident of Nogata City, and Riyo Sakaguchi, a 42-year-old part-time worker from the town of Keisen, are accused of trespassing and theft.
According to investigators, the pair allegedly broke into the KFC Kamitsu store in Kurume City at around 3:47 a.m. on March 17. The suspects made off with a safe containing 340,528 yen in cash.
The incident was brought to light following a report from a security company. An analysis of security camera footage subsequently led police to Sada and Sakaguchi, who are reportedly acquaintances. Authorities have not disclosed whether they have admitted to the charges.
The arrests come amid a rash of similar after-hours burglaries targeting KFC restaurants in the region. Between January and March alone, nine such thefts were confirmed in Fukuoka Prefecture, along with one in neighboring Oita Prefecture.
Police are continuing to investigate the pair’s potential involvement in the broader string of crimes.
A KFC spokesperson told reporters, “We are currently verifying the facts.”
