The leader of the “suspicious part-time job” group may be linked to a series of robberies in the Tokyo area

One of three men recently arrested for their alleged involvement in a robbery in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, police have revealed, made a statement implicating him in another incident that took place in the Tokyo suburb of Kokubunji.

One of them reportedly told investigators: “The leader told me that if I run away, they will kill me, so I cannot leave the group.” Saitama Prefectural Police launched a joint investigation with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on October 2 and are working to identify the ringleader.

Since August, there have been at least seven robberies of residences and stores in Tokyo, Saitama and Kanagawa prefectures, including incidents in Kokubunji on September 30 and Tokorozawa on October 1. MPD, Saitama Prefectural Police and other authorities are thoroughly investigating the case. cases, suspecting that the perpetrators, who came together after applying for obscure part-time jobs, may have been involved in crimes with members changing from case to case.

In Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefectural Police arrested three men on suspicion of robbery and causing injury after stealing luxury wristwatches and other items from a second-hand branded goods store on August 31. In the prefectural city of Kamakura, a wristwatch was also stolen from a pawn shop on September 3. The arrested perpetrator reportedly told investigators: “I found a well-paid part-time job on social media and applied for it.”

On September 18, thieves broke into a house in Saitama’s Nishi Ward, tied up and attacked two residents, one in her 80s and the other in her 60s, then injured them and robbed them of about 100,000 yen (about $680) in cash and other items. things.

Saitama Prefectural Police have so far arrested four perpetrators on charges including: robbery causing bodily harm, and a student who tried to withdraw cash with a credit card on suspicion of attempted theft. Due to similarities in the timing of the events, the method of home invasion and the use of duct tape, and the fact that the perpetrators were suspected part-time job applicants, the prefectural police believe the ringleader may be the same person. for the attacks that took place in Tokorozawa and Kokubunji.

In another robbery on September 28, about 5,000 yen (about $34) in cash and other items, including a luxury watch and a necklace, were stolen from a home in Tokyo’s Nerima district. Some suspects were arrested, but the cash and watch were not seized. was found.

(Japanese original: Makoto Kakizaki, Yokohama Bureau and Kotaro Adachi, Saitama Bureau)