Police in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of stealing women’s underwear from a coin-operated laundromat and injuring the laundromat owner, as he fled the scene by car.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday. Kyodo News reported that Takumi Tomita allegedly stole the underwear, and as he was attempting to drive away, the 60-year-old laundromat owner tried to stop him by clinging to the car’s bonnet.
The owner fell to the ground in the parking lot after Tomita shook him off. Police said he was not seriously injured.
At the time, there was no one in the laundromat. The owner told police he regularly patrolled the premises at night because of past thefts. He noticed Tomita peering into the dryer.
© Japan Today
20 Comments
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Me
That's a new one on me!
Chico3
This guy has some serious mental issues. He has theft, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, wreckless driving, and he's going to be spending time in the nick for what,....stupid nicker stealing? I feel bad for his parents. I hope he's not married.
Shivaji
Earlier someone stole the laundry detergent from a coin laundry but I can't imagine going to the police about it and them caring!
piskian
The bonnet-clinging has to result from too much exposure to '80s action movies on Friday night t.v.
Meanwhile,tbh, there isn't much else to do in Mito of a weekend.
Moonraker
Knicker-thieving stories seem to be a background hum to life in Japan.
Jonathan Prin
As Japan life goes, not the worse thief ever.
You should at least be present when your laundry washing ends, just for politeness for other customers.
I am about sure police will find some more underwear at that pervert's place.
Mocheake
A laundromat open at 12:30 am on a Sunday in the sticks? A panty thief cruising through at that hour and getting a whiff? The owner on patrol for a prowler? News of the very weird!
TrevorPeace
@Chico3, although he didn't 'wreck' his car, the thief's actions were 'reckless'.
englisc aspyrgend
What is it with the Japanese and underwear? While there is the occasional case in other countries it is vastly more prevalent fetish in Japan?
garypen
The news was showing CCTV of the altercation. That guy did not want to get caught, and was doing whatever he could to get away. But, it only ended up making matters worse for him. Kinda like those chikan who try to run away. At least this guy didn't fall onto train tracks.
Strangerland
Yes, there are no cross dressers or men who like to wear womens underwear in other countries, right?
...right?!
Sven Asai
Yes, got me. That’s indeed something I don’t understand. Normally one would undress a loved beautiful woman if one wants to have underwear in hands. Or one would buy a set at a lingerie shop, pretending it’s a present if it is for own fetish. But stealing out from a laundromat? I have no clue on this and similar issues.
falseflagsteve
He’s probably wearing that, dirty bugger, needs to be treated for his vile perversion before he escalates to something worse.
Elvis is here
What makes you think such a thing? A queer assumption to share with everyone.
Fighto!
Glad they caught this disgusting pervert.
But a 60 year old laundromat owner putting their life on the line for a few pairs of panties is almost as bizarre as the criminal! Happy he was unscathed.
the_sicilian
It wouldn't be a news day without a panty thief of some sort. Remember the one guy that got caught and the police made a big deal of it, putting out a blue tarp and putting each piece of underwear out? It was on here. That was some serious crime busting.
commanteer
Never a good idea to hang onto a car being driven by someone in fight/flight mode. Yes, the perp is now in far more trouble than he would be if he had just surrendered. But people panic when suddenly faced with the prospect of arrest, public humiliation, job loss, divorce, etc. No need for heroic efforts to save a pair of knickers. Just note the license plate and call the police.
naitch
This one is after clean women underwear..not like someothers.
Luddite
Another sex offender.