Police in Kitakyushu have arrested a 60-year-old man on suspicion of attempted robbery after he was caught trying to steal a woman’s shoulder bag in a mall.
Local media reported that the incident occurred at around 6 p.m. Friday. The man sat down at a table beside the 28-year-old woman who was chatting with a friend. Her shoulder bag was hanging over the back of her chair. As he reached for her bag, the woman and her friend spotted him and held onto him while security was called.
Police said the man, of no fixed address or occupation, told them he was homeless and that he was hoping to get some money so he could spend the night in an internet cafe.
© Japan Today
14 Comments
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JeffLee
That was really dumb of him, since -- being homeless and unemployed -- he could have applied for public assistance to cover basic housing and living expenses.
nosuke
Thank to the greedy price hikes crime is on the rise
Strangerland
Yeah, they would have got him the money by that night, right so he had somewhere to stay, right?
Dave Fair
you must be new to Japan!
Yubaru
Perfect example of "Tell everyone you don't know anything about Japan, without actually saying it"
dagon
Another tale of "New Capitalism", née Late Stage Capitalist Japan.
Just get these people a UBI out of all the waste, corporate welfare, QE socialism for the rich Japan Inc. gets.
There are far too many ネット難民 and you can see desperation as they try to get out of coming damp, cold weather.
enmaai
No, you cannot ask for a public assistance if you don't have a fix address.
nosuke
Worse night mare for anyone in japan is becoming homeless....and unemployed but you can get on welfare before you get evicted from your home just make sure you go to the city ward and ask for welfare they will give you money to live and eat until you find a job.
Makoto Shimizu
In the end he got his objective, to get free accommodation and meals, shelter, protection.
Gaijinjland
Public assistance is great in Japan. Only problem is you have to be one step above homeless and have a fixed address to receive it and then they will give u a measly monthly stipend and move you into the most depressing subsidized housing ever. Still better than being on the streets though.
Yubaru
Probably not. This is a petty crime and if he has no record he could very well be out and about on the same day.
Seesaw7
I hope that woman has a heart not to press charges against that man.
Patrick
Many people in Japan live in poverty.
therougou
Not a very bright guy. Japanese leave their bags unattended all the time, yet he decides to steal one when the owner is right there.