HOKKAIDO (TR) – A board of education here last week announced the suspension of a male middle school teacher for shoplifting, local media reported.
The case is one of several to take place across the prefecture in recent weeks, reports STV News (Apr. 24).
On April 23, the Sapporo City Board of Education announced that the Sapporo City middle school teacher, aged in his 50s, has been suspended for one month as a disciplinary measure.
According to the board, the teacher left a supermarket in Toyohira Ward without paying for three items (totaling approximately 2,421 yen) at around 3:20 p.m. on March 18.
At the time, the man was carrying fried chicken, edamame beans and a six-pack of canned beer in his hands, without using an eco-bag, and was stopped by a store security guard.
A police officer who was at the store for another matter questioned him, but because the man paid for the items immediately, no complaint was filed.
The incident came to light when the police called the middle school to confirm the teacher’s employment.
On that day, the man had taken time off and was working until 2:15 p.m.
In an interview with the city’s board of education, the male teacher said things like, “I had left my wallet in the car. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It was impulsive.”
He also expressed remorse, saying, “As a staff member who should be a role model for students, I did something I absolutely should not have done.”
Melon, kiwis, plums
In a separate case, a 78-year-old man was arrested red-handed for shoplifting six items in Sapporo earlier this month.
According to the police, at around 11:10 a.m. on April 15, the man is suspected of stealing six items — one cut melon, three kiwis and two packs of pickled plums — from a supermarket in Toyohira Ward.
In carrying out the theft, the suspect placed the items (with a total retail price of 2,538 yen) in a business bag.
When the man attempted to leave the store without paying, a plainclothes security guard called out to him, at which point the man fled.
The security guard chased after the man, apprehended him and handed him over to the police who arrived on the scene.
During questioning, the suspect remained silent.
The man had enough cash to buy the stolen goods. Police are now investigating his motive and whether he has committed any other crimes.
In another incident, a teenage girl in the same city attempted to steal a bag of rice from a Sapporo market last month. As well, another elderly man swiped three packs of eggs in Asahikawa City earlier this month.
