Police said Thursday they have arrested a 73-year-old man on suspicion of stealing a parked police car in Kanagawa Prefecture.
According to police, the man, who has been named as Makoto Ishikawa, is accused of taking the car from a street in Sagamihara at around 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The two officers responsible for the car were responding to an emergency call at a nearby apartment and left the car unlocked with the engine running to keep the red light flashing, TBS reported.
When Ishikawa got into the car, an alarm sounded, which alerted the officers. They chased him for about 85 meters before he pulled over. Ishikawa, who does not have a driver's license, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of his arrest and told officers, "I wanted to have a quick spin in a police car," TBS said.
© Japan Today
40 Comments
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Mirai Hayashi
Don't know why, but I thought this was funny
sillygirl
why anyone leaves the keys in the car with the car running stumps me, including the police. just asking to be stolen and there are some that will be happy to oblige.
southsakai
This 73-year-old man must be fun to be around!
kurisupisu
It is standard police operating procedure to leave the engine running and the doors unlocked?
I think not!
nath
Awwwwww yea! That man is awesome!
nath
Mirai Hayashi..Me too.
Nicky Washida
Can someone provide details for how we can get in contact wih Mr Ishihara? I want to buy him a drink!
ExportExpert
73 year old drunk at 7am in the morning trying to steal a police car, jeez this old fool needs to wake up and behave himself.
Nicky Washida
Ishikawa - sorry
Badge213
This is Japan not downtown Detroit.
NeoJamal
Playing Grand Theft Auto in San Gamijara as a GG (Ji-Jii)
Thunderbird
japanese John Rambo
gaijintraveller
If they have to leave the engine running to power flashing lights, they will have to leave the key in the ignition. They should still be able to lock the doors, but this would require the use of a second key. Surely, they have a spare key.
Perhaps a solar panel could do the job.
Harry_Gatto
How to grow old DISgracefully!
Leaving a car with the engine running is illegal in some countries. Seems this car had an intrusion alarm of some kind and cop cars usually have a meatier battery and alternator to cope with the additional equipment they carry. Depends on the car model I suppose.
Balefire
I agree with Nicky Washida; I'd like to buy the guy a drink, too. He'd be fun to talk with, I bet. And, Harry, if you have to grow old, disgracefully is more fun than gracefully (although your relatives may disagree).
cactusJack
Smokey and the Bandit III.
darknuts
The police chased him more than 80 meters? With what?? What they should do is install a timer that would keep the engine running even after the key is out.
wontond
"I don't always drive cars, but when I do they're stolen police cruisers." - The most interesting man in the world.
FightingViking
...and I agree with both Balefire and Nicky... We should all get together and have a booze-up!
Rev Head
What a joke!
Mirai Hayashi
73 year old - 1 JPolice - 0
Riffraff
The objective of life is not to arrive at the grave in a reserved and stately manner;…. It’s to slide in sideways at the last second all worn out and used up, screaming at the top of your lungs, “WOW WHAT A RIDE!!”
WilliB
As geriatric crime goes, I find this rather cool. Much better than all the stabbings we have had recently.
Laguna
It is never to late to realize your dreams. In fact, for some dreams, waiting until you can't realistically get in trouble is wise.
tmarie
The two officers responsible for the car were responding to an emergency call at a nearby apartment and left the car unlocked with the engine running to keep the red light flashing, TBS reported. Idiots.
Ishikawa, who does not have a driver’s license, was reportedly intoxicated at the time of his arrest and told officers, So grand auto theft, driving under the influence and driving without a license? Hope this guy is being charged. Nicky, I am surprised you think this is funny. He could have killed someone.
tamanegi
This story made my day! I crack up at bachans and jichans the way they shuffle around talking to themselves in a daze. But this dude rocks!
suzukakid
Just out having some fun! You gotta love it!
FightingViking
Although he didn't have a licence he knew how to drive! (Are Police cars "automatic"?) I personally prefer a "stick-shift" but would still like to invite Ishikawa-san to have a d(rink with me and Balefire and Nicky Washida!
lostrune2
Don't blame him. The quickest way to have a quick spin in a police car............. is to get arrested in a police car! Now he gets to see the back of a police car (hahaha, I've been there).
Nicky Washida
Yes you are right of course, but the fact is, he didnt and you know what - sometimes, screw it - you just have to laugh!
Geoff Gillespie
Nah, he's doin' just fine the way he is.....
Thunderbird
Fakku za police!
602miko
well his very genki
Tommie Mac Mcgowan
That is one thing that he can scratch off his bucketlist...that one party dude!
akkk1
He's a great role model for all grandpas and grandmas
TrentonGaijin
My old neighborhood made the news.... I've always been tempted to take off in a cruiser that some cop left running. Maybe when I get to 73 I'll give it a try. Didn't know they had alarms though (must be different than theft alarm because they aren't usually activated while the car's running). Next thing will be a remote cut-off device that will allow cops to shut off the car as it drives away (of course, if they're dumb enough to leave the car running, they may forget the remote in the car).
Zach Odle
i wanna party with this guy
nath
What a champion! He deserves a medal! And those cops who left their vehicle unlocked should be punished. The "This is Japan, therefore it's safe" excuse won't cut it. It's a police vehicle! They're meant to go to areas where crimes occur!
noirgaijin
It would have been great if he had jump out of the car with white gloves on like the old Japanese police dramas from the 70’s and said “ok let’s take a look at the crime scene.” Ishikawa-san, it was a dumb idea, but hilarious. Next round on me!
ka_chan
This is too funny. Too bad the story didn't say if was a mini patrol car. Seems like something the Keystone Cops would have done. As for this not being Detriot, has nothing do with common sense. This time it's a drunk 73 old man, it could have been a 10 year old. You lock the doors to prevent non-criminals for doing things like this. Criminal will do it anyway lock or not if they wanted to, have to be really stupid but criminals are criminals. J-Cops need to review their policies.