TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five male Uzbek nationals who are suspected of carrying out multiple crimes in the capital dating back to last year, reports NHK (May 14).
At just past 5:30 a.m. on December 30, Hasanboy Marfjon Ugli Dusmatov, 21, and his accomplices allegedly accosted a group of three foreigners on a street in Maruyamacho, Shibuya Ward.
After Dusmatov kicked one man, 21, in the face, he and his accomplices then allegedly stole wallets and bags worth 210,000 yen.
Upon his arrest on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury, Dusmatov declined to comment. “I won’t talk until my lawyer arrives,” he said. The other four suspects deny the allegations.
Hasanboy Marfjon Ugli Dusmatov (X)
Four of the five suspects, including Dusmatov, were staying illegally in Japan. Prior to the incident, the suspects tried to pick up (nampa) a female member of the targeted group before carrying out the alleged crime.
Police believe that Dusmatov and his accomplices have committed similar crimes, including pickpocketing people sleeping on the street, in busy areas of Shibuya and Shinjuku since August last year.
They are also believed to have made about 8 million yen in profits by using stolen credit cards to resell iPhones they purchased.
Dusmatov was the ringleader. He communicated the dates and times for the crimes to be carried out via Telegram, police said.
AloJapan.com