TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested three male Brazilian nationals over an attempted smash-and-grab incident at a jewelry store in Sano City earlier this year, reports NHK (Nov. 7).
Police and others are investigating the perpetrators as an anonymous, mobile criminal group (tokuryu), as they are suspected of receiving instructions from another individual via a highly confidential communication app.
The three arrested suspects are Christian Pereira Machii, 21, from Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, Tsuyoshi Gabriel Watanabe, 22, from the town of Sakahogi, Gifu Prefecture and a 19-year-old demolition worker from Kani City, Gifu Prefecture.
In June, the three suspects allegedly crashed a car into the jewelry store in Sano in an attempt to steal watches and other items worth approximately 8 million yen.
Tsuyoshi Gabriel Watanabe (X)
According to investigators, Machii drove the car, which broke the reinforced glass of the entrance.
They then attempted to enter the sales area, but were unable to unlock the door, making them unable to get inside.
The store’s security camera captured the two men fleeing, leaving their car behind, but police have since come to the realization that three suspects were involved.
One of the suspects has reserved his right to questioning, but the other two have admitted to the charges.
According to police, the three are suspected of communicating the highly confidential communication app Signal to receiving instructions from another individual to carry out the crime.
One suspect said, “I was in debt and accepted the offer on the promise of a reward.”
Police suspect that at least one of the suspects may have been involved in other thefts that occurred in Tokyo.
In July, police in Osaka Prefecture arrested Watanabe for allegedly breaking into the residence of a in her 20s the month before.
AloJapan.com