OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police have taken a 12-year-old junior high school girl into custody after she allegedly attempted to rob a convenience store at knifepoint, leaving an elderly female staff member injured, reports Mainichi Broadcasting System (Oct. 17).
Shortly after 9:10 a.m. on Friday, the girl entered a convenience store in the Sugimoto area of Sumiyoshi Ward. She approached the 86-year-old female store owner, sprayed antiperspirant spray directly into her face, and thrust a kitchen knife at her while repeatedly demanding, “Money, money, money.”
However, the elderly owner fought back. Facing unexpected resistance, the young suspect panicked and fled the scene empty-handed.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries to her eyes and arm.
Following an analysis of nearby security camera footage, police tracked down the 12-year-old girl. She was secured by authorities and sent to a child consultation center in the early hours of Saturday.
During questioning, the girl admitted to the allegations.
“I wanted money,” she told investigators, adding, “I regret what I did.”