TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police are looking into a rash of thefts of various items, including statues and water taps, from public parks in Edogawa and Katsushika wards, reports NHK (July 4).
According to Edogawa Ward, a resident living near Ichinoe Sakaigawa Waterfront Park contacted the ward on June 24 to report that a bronze statue in the park had disappeared.
When ward staff checked the following day, they confirmed that two statues, including a bronze statue of a child wearing a hat, were missing.
Both statues were donated by the art club of a middle school in the ward about 30 years ago. They each weigh about 30 kilograms.
After receiving a report on the matter, police launched a theft investigation.
In a separate case, a resident of Edogawa reported something suspicious about a water tap in a park on the night of May 30. Subsequent investigations confirmed that water taps had been stolen from 15 parks in the ward.
Neighboring Katsushika Ward has experienced thefts of taps from its parks. In addition, there have been a series of thefts of air conditioners from parks and riverbeds in both Edogawa and Katsushika.
Police are investigating whether the same culprit is behind the spate of thefts.
Katsuhiko Inagawa, a staff member from Edogawa Ward Riverbed Ground, said: “If outdoor [air conditioning] units are stolen at this time of year, it [deprives] visitors of a way to take a break if they feel ill.”
As a result of the thefts, Edogawa Ward is increasing patrols.
