Gang of teenagers injure elderly cyclist with rope
OSAKA —
Police in Sakai City, Osaka, are investigating an incident in which an elderly man on a bicycle described having a rope pressed against his neck while passing a group of teenagers.
According to reports by TV media, the 70-year-old man was riding his bike home at around 4 a.m. last Friday, when a group of teenage boys approached on bicycles. The group divided in the middle, offering a gap through which the man could pass. As he did so, he felt the sensation of a rope rubbing against his neck.
Police believe the youths had suspended a rope between them, level with the man’s neck, which struck him, causing minor injuries. Police say the group then immediately fled the scene.
Police are currently searching for the whereabouts of the youths and are treating the incident as attempted murder, according to the reports.
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36 Comments
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4
yokatta
A cyclists worse nightmare. Definitely jail time for the brats!!
0
Skeptical Hippo
Reminded me of this Japan Today news story:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/son-of-american-military-man-found-guilty-in-rope-incident-case
2
southsakai
I live in this area. This is very worrying. The teenagers here are the worst kind I have seen anywhere having lived in many places around the world. I just don't get why they behave like this. It's a very cowardice behavior doing something like this to an elderly man.
Though i do love Japan, I blame this on society and mainly parents/adults who do not seem to have any sense of care or concern for all the crap I see going on here almost everyday.
-4
Fadamor
Only four comments. I seem to remember when the U.S. Air Force kids were charged, there were dozens of posts damning them and their presence in Japan. Mighty interesting this difference in response for essentially the same crime.
2
Skeptical Hippo
Yep. This happened at around 4 am, meaning the parents of those teenagers weren't doing their jobs.
3
Skeptical Hippo
This article was only posted 4 hours ago. Give it time....
1
southsakai
True and frankly it doesn't really matter if it happens at 4am or 4pm in the afternoon. For kids to be getting into stuff like this, something's not right at home, at school or somewhere which leads them to engage in such screwed up acts. Lack of discipline, respect and morals.
-3
chewitup
Um, no. He described his neck hitting a taut rope. Or he described being clotheslined on the neck while riding his bicycle.
Anyway, good thing the perps were all Japanese or there would be a major uproar. This will just quietly fade away from public memory.
1
bookowls
What the hell were they doing out at 4am anyway?
Japan should start putting ASBO's on teens such as these. And their parents for not taking responsibility in raising their brats in a manner that is suited to living in society normally!
5
the_harper
I've seen photos of a person who was decapitated while riding a trail bike by hitting a wire strung across a track. The rope could still easily be fatal for an elderly person - the fall alone could kill them. I'm glad the police are treating it seriously.
2
ReformedBasher
@southsakai
Um, are you exaggerating just a little?
Because I can think of a lot of countries where the teenagers are far worse.
@Skeptical Hippo Good luck trying to control teenagers. Don't just blame the parents, unless you know what goes on their household.
I hope they catch them soon. Attempted murder is a little strong though. Hopefully they'll get something to make them regret what they did though.
1
Skeptical Hippo
That comparing bs again!?!
Listen, when Americans break the law in Japan they're not victims. End of story. Stop whining about the treatment you get from the public as criminals. You are what you are.
2
chewitup
Just as human as the next guy. A crime committed by a foreigner does not become worse by that virtue alone. People need to ditch their monkey brained thoughts on such things. That is all I am saying.
1
CaptainAwesome
Just two days ago I ran into an x student absolutely wasted outside a conbini at 4.30 in the morning. He's 16. While I was in no way an angel and certainly drinking at that age, there would be no way in hell I'd be allowed to wander the streets and hang outside convenience stores in that state, at that time, at that age. Made me wonder if his folks had any clue where he was...
1
smithinjapan
Fadamor: "Mighty interesting this difference in response for essentially the same crime."
The article had JUST been posted when you saw only four comments. Furthermore, the crimes differed slightly, although it reminded me of the incident in Okinawa as well. In fact, I came on this thread and read it expecting to hear they would get a slap on the wrists, and I am pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong.
chewitup: "A crime committed by a foreigner does not become worse by that virtue alone. People need to ditch their monkey brained thoughts on such things."
What does this have to do with foreigners? Seems the only one pressing their thoughts on such things here is you.
-1
chewitup
Golly smith! You a little angry today? Same post, you said:
A little inconsistent today too I see.
The authorities may well treat the two cases the same, but the press and the people will not. Time will prove me right, but you may place your bets however you like. I will take your money with pleasure.
1
Okinawamike
Not Okinawa, Smith, try Yokota AB, outside Fussa.
0
jforce
Youths do stupid stuff, and sometimes it's really stupid. Hopefully they're caught and taught a lesson. The guy didn't die, so "attempted murder" is a bit harsh. I'd give them 100 hours of community service and smack'em with a rolled up newspaper. Idiots.
0
Okinawamike
While still a dangerous stunt, big difference between a rope across a cyclist pathway and what these knuckleheads did.
At Yokota the victim was on a motorized bike and this old fella of 70 was peddling along. The punishment should fit the crime. The US kids were deported. What do you think will happen to these kids?
JAPANESE police plan to arrest on suspicion of attempted murder four children of US military personnel after a motorcyclist was badly injured by a rope stretched across a road. The 23-year-old woman suffered a fractured skull after she was caught by the rope and thrown off her moped near western Tokyo's US Yokota Air Base on August 13 2009.
Moderator
Readers, the Yokota incident is not relevant to this discussion. Please stay on topic.
3
Skeptical Hippo
Nobody needs to die to be charged with attempted murder. Similar to attempted suicide.... Look up "attempted" and you might get a clue why.
0
billyshears
People have to remember that Osaka has many deprived areas, so it is still comparatively safe when compared to other similar areas around the world. I feel the problem with this particular incident is that it may spawn copycat crimes (especially when other delinquents realize this may be a good way to rob victims).
1
Frungy
I'm glad the police are treating this so seriously.
Crimes against vulnerable people (e.g. the young and the elderly) should be treated more severely than crimes against most other people. If the brats had pulled this stunt on me I'd probably be okay, and an assault charge would be appropriate, but against an elderly person the charge of attempted murder seems, to my mind, entirely justified and reasonable.
I hope they're caught and spend several years in prison thinking about how it's a good idea to respect their elders.
-1
BurakuminDes
I hope they catch these wastrels and they are kept in a small cell for a few years to think about things. They could have killed this poor old guy, little cowards.
0
tmarie
Find them and charge them.
Didn't those American kids get off the charges due to their age?
As to comments about the time, who cares why the guy was out at that time. For all you know he was taking his morning bike rife!!
1
Jimny1216
It trally amazes me that more posts are not centering on the fact that the parents are not more involved in this. Or even to more to blame. If the kids are caught, they are under age so I am hoping the parents are charged right along with them. Irresponsible parents, such as them, need to be taught a lesson also. If they are no willing to take responsibility for thier kids they should have never have had them in the first place. Attempted murder is an appropriate charge, what do you think is going to happen if you "clothesline" a person across the neck on a moving bike, especially a 70 year old man or woman?
0
globalwatcher
Yep. Hope you guys can find these SOBs. They should be tried as adults for attempting murder. You need to start containing these bad ones in prizon for a long time. They won't change. They are who they are. No plea bargain, please.
-1
Skeptical Hippo
The police will never find them...
-2
Skeptical Hippo
Raising one's kids properly has nothing to do with luck. Anyone who thinks differently obviously needs all the luck they can get.
-1
Skeptical Hippo
What comments? There isn't a single comment like that.
People here questioned what the group of teenagers was doing out at that time of night.
0
tokyokawasaki
stevecpc - I wonder... Is it the mothers fault?
-1
FireyRei
I'll slap 'em for the old dude, but still, I couldn't help giggle a little reading the story:D
0
whiskeysour
What time is it ?
Clothes line hanging time !!!!!
Yeah that's one of the new leisures in japan !!!!
0
southsakai
Yes maybe I was exaggerating a bit, you're right. I'll just say Japanese teens are probably in the worst top 10 countries.
The only good thing we got going here in Japan is strict gun control laws. Seriously some of these kids here, once there all powered up on instant noodles and fried chicken, they can't control themselves. I'm not kidding too.
I've lived in a whole bunch of countries developed and so called "3rd world" and have seen teens behave much better with some respect and morals.
I'm not saying all Japanese teenagers are bad, that would be plain foolish of me. But I see many more crazy ones here each and every day than the other places I have lived around the world. Not J bashing but another 20/30 years I can only imagine what this place is going to be like. It's not going to be pretty culture rich Japan.
And I hope I am wrong!
0
papasmurfinjapan
You obviously haven't lived in Sakai. : )
Obviously this is a turf war. The old man ventured over the wrong side of the tracks. Next we'll hear news about gang warfare between old folks on mamachari's against teenagers wearing sunglasses at night with their pants half down.
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