crime

3 teenagers arrested for vandalizing spree

31 Comments

Three teenagers have been arrested after they allegedly went on a property damaging rampage in Tokyo's Ome in January.

Police said Saturday that the rampage took place in a residential area on the evening of Jan 31. TV Asahi quoted police as saying the three 16-year-old youths, riding two scooters, traveled along a street, using poles to smash car parking mirrors and lights in house driveways. The group is also accused of damaging cars by throwing broken lights at them.

In total, police say that 18 households were affected in the spree.

One of the teenagers was quoted by police as saying, "I had just dropped out of high school and was feeling stressed. I liked the sound of the glass breaking."

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

31 Comments
Login to comment

One of the teenagers was quoted by police as saying, “I had just dropped out of high school and was feeling stressed. I liked the sound of the glass breaking.”

it will be interesting to hear from other two guys as well. Total damage must be in millions of Yen.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I liked the sound of the glass breaking.

Give him a good long paddling to see if he likes the sound of a$$ breaking!

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I liked the sound of the glass breaking

Aww! the sounds of innocents youths making sure they opinions are heard. Since they are children, probably no legal issues will occur, except for gomenasai's to the vehicle owners.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Make his parents pay and if not make him pay. No matter how long it takes.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

The sound of a cell door closing should be a part of his immediate future..

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Make his parents pay and if not make him pay. No matter how long it takes.

I always disliked this whole "make their parents pay" thing that happens in Japan. Had a friend who put his parents on his lease and then decided to just stop paying his rent. Came back on his parents even though they were all the way in Okinawa, just didn't seem right to me. Sorry but the parents shouldn't have to pay anything if the person is an adult, time to grow up. In this case it's different since the offender is a minor but I still don't think all financial responsibility should fall on the parents with situations like this.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Not all parents are the cause of their kids going astray. They of course will have to pay for damages and vandalism caused by their kids here in Japan. Parents don't always know who their kids are hanging out with. Give the parents a break. Kids with good parenting also go off the deep end sometimes.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

These halfwits should be made to clean up their damage with a hand brush and pan in front of all the victims and the public - all in prisoner uniforms! Then they should be forced to pay for the damage and given 12 months community service cleaning the streets!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Just some innocent young lads, they need more love and attention!! And a good ass whipping!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Someone needs to buy a ps3 or smtn! These cats must be bored! lol

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

And the parents are where??? Someone had to have bought those scooters for them.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

restitution = best medicine

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I had just dropped out of high school and was feeling stressed.

I'm wondering why he dropped out of high school? Too stupid? Too spoilt? Too lazy? All of the above?

I think a year or so inside an adult prison, with hard labour, might bring the difficulty of completing school or finding a normal job into sharp focus for this kid.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Nice to live in a country where a vandalism spree is frontline news.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Someone had to have bought those scooters for them.

Not necessarily. It's so easy to borrow one...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I'm wondering why he dropped out of high school? Too stupid? Too spoilt? Too lazy? All of the above?

Or neither. That's also the school that has been unable to deal with him. In the past, when youth left the system after junior high, they could go to work as adults. It's no longer possible. They can't stay at school OK, I understand fully, I've known such cases. But they are supposed to go where ? There are 100% chances they will become street nuisances. So we should do something before. The Education Board should be asked to find an occupation for any "drop out" under 20. As soon as they stop attending the school, they should see a psychologist to deal with issues. And besides they need a person counseling them on career and making sure they get accepted for professional training or some kind of employment.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Cos I think you're on point with job placement and some exit counseling, but a bit overboard with the personal counseling. Making the school solely responsible for a students mental wellness would result in the rubber stamp system that observed in schools today.

An extreme idea would be to attach the legal status of adulthood to student enrollment. Students under the age of 20 would be considered minors provided they are receiving education. 6 months after they drop out they would be legally recognized as an adult with all rights, responsibilities and privileges. Those who would stay in education from the ages of 16 (legal age to marry!WTF) to 20 would defer their full rights for suspended taxes and 'free' education.

As far as these gentlemen go, they have smashed a bunch of stuff, will likely do some prison time, and will force their families to pay for their mistake. While at the same time, no one will speak in defense of these guys, their future in society looks bleak at best, and whatever criticism about the environment that encouraged such behavior will be quietly tucked under some tatami while rant about this on the net.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Maybe they can make traffic signs in jail to pay the debt off

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Bad kids DO NOT always equal bad parents. Kids are kids. All is takes is one bad friend for a good kid to go off track. As Stephen and Jack said, parents shouldn't be responsible to pay for damages. Make the kids do community service or whatever and make them pay for it themselves.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"I'm wondering why he dropped out of high school? Too stupid? Too spoilt? Too lazy?"

Could be "too broke". Not that I it would excuse vandalism. Just letting you know that financial hardship, is a possible reason for drooping out. High school isn't free.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Jack Stern: Parents don't always know who their kids are hanging out with. Give the parents a break. Kids with good parenting also go off the deep end sometimes.

Isn't part of being a good parent knowing who your kids are hanging out with?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Nessie: Nice to live in a country where a vandalism spree is frontline news.

Ahhh.... yes. There it is. I was waiting for the subtle, or not so subtle dig at the dangers of other countries in comparison to how safe Japan is. You know what, I seriously doubt that the people whose property was damaged really care what the headlines are in other countries. All they are probably concerned with is why it was done, if it's going to happen again and who's going to pay for it.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

I was waiting for the subtle, or not so subtle dig at the dangers of other countries in comparison to how safe Japan is.

So, you were waiting for a factually correct statement, and I made it. Glad to oblige.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Nessie: So, you were waiting for a factually correct statement, and I made it. Glad to oblige.

Nope. Just the obligatory and totally irrelevant dig and pat on the back. Good for you for figuring a way to get it in. You must be proud.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Ms. Alexander: As Stephen and Jack said, parents shouldn't be responsible to pay for damages. Make the kids do community service or whatever and make them pay for it themselves.

I understand what you're saying but aren't the parents still legally responsible for their 16-year old kids? If so, then the parents ought to pay so that the victims can at least replace their broken property since the kids are unlikely to have enough money of their own to do so. As to how the parents make their kids pay them back, they can work that out themselves. Community service is an excellent idea but it's not going to replace broken windows, lights or mirrors.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Frungy: I think a year or so inside an adult prison, with hard labour, might bring the difficulty of completing school or finding a normal job into sharp focus for this kid.

The kids are 16. Certainly they are old enough to know better but perhaps not old or smart enough to understand the long-term consequences of their actions. I'm all for punishing them but how about a punishment that actually fits the crime? What you're recommending is not only unduly harsh but pretty much ensures they will have no future outside of perhaps being day laborers or continuing in a life of crime. Second chances are pretty hard to come by in Japan and especially so if you start out adulthood with a criminal record. It may not always work out perfectly but there is a reason that juvenile records are sealed and or expunged.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

No more bickering please.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

16-year olds vandalizing property? That what juvenile detention halls are for. Lock them up until they're adults, then toss them in the street.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Make them kneel on the broken glass for their punishment.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

They should make a public apology so all who were victims of the vandalization can hear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Ed High

These halfwits should be made to clean up their damage with a hand brush and pan in front of all the victims and the public - all in prisoner uniforms! Then they should be forced to pay for the damage and given 12 months community service cleaning the streets...

Naw, they will be viewed as innocent youths who didn't realize what they were doing was a big pain in the @$$ to others.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites