Rearrested in Chiba, the 18-year-old denies the charge. Police are probing about 100 similar thefts in the Tokyo area since June and suspect an organized group.
Duplicate locker keys seized by police at Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters on the afternoon of October 8.
An 18-year-old Chinese national was rearrested on suspicion of breaking into a locker room at a public bathhouse in Chiba Prefecture and attempting to steal valuables from a locker, police said on October 8. The suspect has denied the allegations.
Police seized 170 duplicate keys from the man's bag. Similar thefts have been reported at public bathhouses across the greater Tokyo area, and investigators suspect the incidents may be part of an organized operation involving a group of Chinese nationals.
The man is accused of entering the men's changing room at a public bathhouse between 12:45 PM and 1 PM on September 2. He allegedly used a duplicate key to open a locker and attempted to steal its contents.
Around 100 Cases Reported
Since June, police have confirmed around 100 similar incidents at public bathhouses in Chiba, Saitama, Tokyo, and Kanagawa. In some cases, the chips embedded in credit cards were reportedly removed and replaced with different ones.
At another facility, a man believed to be a member of the group was seen watching customers near the entrance to the changing room. Police are investigating whether the incidents are part of an organized criminal operation and are urging bathhouse visitors to avoid bringing large amounts of cash or expensive valuables with them.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun