HOKKAIDO (TR) – A 78-year-old man accused of using a long chain of straws to fish cash out of a shrine’s offertory box claimed he committed the crime to “crack down” on the institution, police said, reports STV News (Apr. 16).
The suspect, a designer residing in Abashiri City, was arrested in March on suspicion of theft. He has admitted to the allegations, reportedly telling investigators, “I wanted to crack down on shrines that are snatching money from citizens.”
According to police, the suspect trespassed on the grounds of a local shrine on February 28 and March 9, using his makeshift tool to steal 1,000 yen in cash from the saisenbako (offeratory box).
Security camera footage captured the suspect’s bizarre heist. He was initially seen standing in front of the box, placing his hands together in mock prayer before briefly leaving the area. A few minutes later, he returned, peered into the wooden box, and slipped a long rod made of connected drinking straws through the slatted top. Moments later, he successfully extracted a banknote and walked away.
The suspect returned to the crime scene nine days later, where he was once again seen scoping out the offertory box, though he left empty-handed on that occasion.
The shrine’s chief priest had reportedly been on high alert after noticing a suspicious man repeatedly loitering on the premises since the beginning of 2026.
During questioning, the elderly suspect admitted that beyond his self-appointed vigilantism, he was also simply “in need of money.”
“Offertory money is intended for the maintenance and operation of the shrine,” a representative for the victimized shrine commented. “It is incredibly sad that someone would steal money offered by worshipers praying for the future.”
Police are continuing to investigate whether the suspect has committed additional crimes.
AloJapan.com