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Police in Tokyo's Toshima Ward said Monday they have arrested an unemployed 31-year-old man for kidnapping a 5-year-old girl.
According to police, the young girl was accompanying her father as he shopped at Book-Off Ikebukuro at around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. After she got separated from her father, a man grabbed her and took her with him out of the store, TBS reported.
The girl was found approximately 30 minutes later on a road 2.5 km away from the bookstore after a woman overheard her crying while being pulled along by the suspect, TBS reported. She notified police at a nearby koban and they apprehended the suspect on the spot and took the girl into protective custody. The girl appeared to be physically unharmed following the incident.
Police said the man told them he was just trying to take care of the girl, whom he assumed was by herself. He said he was going to let her stay at his house.
© Japan Today
23 Comments
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Pandabelle
Nah, the world's safer than it's ever been. We just have heightened awareness through more media coverage.
Good thing this young girl was returned to her family safely and the dude arrested. Just goes to show how quickly something bad can happen.
Cortes Elijah
Take her home to keep her safe? What a sick dog. Life!
FightingViking
I don't know about a book store but when I was three years old, I was once separated from my mother by the "madding crowd" of a Department Store. An employee found me crying and took me to the "Service Counter" where an announcement was made and I was soon reunited with mother. It's not always easy to keep an eye on one's young kids, especially in a crowded store. I always thought that kind of announcement was common practice everywhere... I'm glad the little girl is safe.
nikkeiboy
The guy made it 2.5 kms away without anyone saying anything. To be honest, I'm not sure if I would have intervened unless I specifically heard the girl say she was being kidnapped. Otherwise I might have just expected a child not happy that dad didn't buy her something at the store.
Fouxdefa
Wouldn't a normal person talk to store staff and have them make an announcement?
Good on the lady who thought something was wrong and called police right away.
gaijin6000
so, he takes a little girl, and assumes safety for her? He couldn't take her to the store worker so they could announce over the microphone about a little girl who they just found. And if they don't find the parents, then let the store call the police about the situation.
This guy deserves to be prosecuted for severe lack of judgement. Or he had other bad intentions, which is could very well be the case.
Serrano
"he was going to let her stay at his house"
I'll bet he was! He sure wasn't going to take her to a koban.
Marilita Fabie-Fujisawa
Three cheers to the woman that intervened. You don't see much of her around here. I hope that from this day on, people will try not only to think of themselves and to be alert and attentive around them to and report anything suspicious.
Disillusioned
Freak! Keep your kids close people! These nutters are growing in number and in craziness! I keep saying it and keep getting thumbs down for it, but Japan is only a safe place if you are a middle aged man. If you are a child or a woman you must remain on high alert!
Bogi
Highly likely she would have been killed. But, impossible to prove. Unfortunately, he'll get off lightly.
Dad, you've been given a second chance which you probably don't deserve. Don't EVER let her out of your sight again.
muttinjapan
My god - finally a story where the Japanese police didn't completely bungle everything! Good work! It was lucky she was found before reaching this nutters apartment - also very lucky she didn't get in a vehicle with him but he dragged her through the streets.
Christopher Glen
No doubt most passersby assumed the would be kidnapper was her "father". Still, I'm surprised he got as far as he did - in such a crowded area - before he was apprehended
sensei258
Thank God she's okay.
Shinjuku No Yaju
The only word for this is "uuuugh"
ojiiu812badboy
What a "kind-hearted" man. Castrate him!!!
WilliB
Glad the pervert got caught, and good thinking by the woman!
His story that just wanted to "take care" of the girl of course does not hold up. That would have been a valid excuse in front of the shop. But 30 minutes and half an hour later... come on.
Mirai Hayashi
How many of this sickos are lurking around...now I am really paranoid!
Dennis Bauer
I am just glad the kid is okay, slightly annoyed with the father who was too busy reading manga's instead watching his kid
Vincehwr
The fact that he's unemployed also smelled trouble.
Cricky
In a country that almost condones pedofilic obsession, (visit any 7-11/ book off) )this is not surprising at all. Thank god the police acted. Shame on dad, you just can not take your eyes off your children when in a predators environment such as a book store.
torosushi
This has the potential to end up the same fate as dear poor Mirei Ikuta..who was just grisly murdered just a few weeks back..
Japan as a country need to do more to protect these innocent children.. lax parenting for just a minute will leave a lifetime pain and suffering...
RIP..little angle Mirei Ikuta, she could be the one who actually protected this 5 year old girl...