crime

73-year-old man arrested for attempting to steal police car in Kanagawa

40 Comments

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.

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40 Comments
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intoxicated at the time of his arrest and told officers, “I wanted to have a quick spin in a police car,”

Don't know why, but I thought this was funny

14 ( +14 / -0 )

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.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

“I wanted to have a quick spin in a police car,”

This 73-year-old man must be fun to be around!

8 ( +6 / -0 )

It is standard police operating procedure to leave the engine running and the doors unlocked?

I think not!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This 73-year-old man must be fun to be around!

Awwwwww yea! That man is awesome!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Mirai Hayashi..Me too.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Can someone provide details for how we can get in contact wih Mr Ishihara? I want to buy him a drink!

5 ( +8 / -3 )

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.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Ishikawa - sorry

0 ( +4 / -4 )

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.

This is Japan not downtown Detroit.

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Playing Grand Theft Auto in San Gamijara as a GG (Ji-Jii)

2 ( +2 / -0 )

japanese John Rambo

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Smokey and the Bandit III.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"I don't always drive cars, but when I do they're stolen police cruisers." - The most interesting man in the world.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

...and I agree with both Balefire and Nicky... We should all get together and have a booze-up!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What a joke!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

73 year old - 1 JPolice - 0

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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!!”

8 ( +8 / -0 )

As geriatric crime goes, I find this rather cool. Much better than all the stabbings we have had recently.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

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.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

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!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Just out having some fun! You gotta love it!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"I wanted to have a quick spin in a police car."

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).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nicky, I am surprised you think this is funny. He could have killed someone.

Yes you are right of course, but the fact is, he didnt and you know what - sometimes, screw it - you just have to laugh!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

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.

Nah, he's doin' just fine the way he is.....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Fakku za police!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

well his very genki

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That is one thing that he can scratch off his bucketlist...that one party dude!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

He's a great role model for all grandpas and grandmas

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

i wanna party with this guy

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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