Man arrested for attempted murder after botched hold-up in Saitama Family Mart

Tuesday 24th February, 08:46 AM JST

SAITAMA —

A man was arrested for attempted murder and attempted robbery on Monday, accused of entering a Family Mart in Sakado City and cutting a man in his neck as he tried to make his getaway.

According to police, the 39-year-old unemployed man and resident of Sakado City entered the convenience store at around 6.30 a.m. and threatened the male employee behind the counter with a knife. The man was unsuccessful in getting the cash register to open and fled without taking any money. A male university student in the store at the time chased after the man, and sustained cuts to his neck that will take two weeks to heal. Police arrived on the scene shortly after and arrested the knife-wielding man. The man has admitted to the allegations.

Police said that the convenience store was robbed of around 140,000 yen last Thursday and suspect that it was committed by the man they arrested Monday, based on descriptions of clothing and the knife used. Police also said that the man was a psychiatric patient at a nearby hospital, and are investigating to what extent he can be held criminally responsible.

News reports

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Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

Apsara at 09:06 AM JST - 24th February

Cuts to his neck that "will" take two weeks to heal? That's odd reporting. They may take two weeks to heal, or longer, or shorter- no-one can predict an individual's healing rate.
Beelzebub at 09:20 AM JST - 24th February

As growing numbers of people face find themselves in desperate straits, their reaction tends to swing between self-destructive behavior (suicide or slow, quiet starvation) or crime. Stores that operate after 10 p.m. are going to need armed guards before much longer.
likeitis at 09:37 AM JST - 24th February

A male university student in the store at the time chased after the man, and sustained cuts to his neck...

Courage and foolhardiness are not mutually exclusive. He is lucky to be alive.
timtak at 10:10 AM JST - 24th February

no-one can predict an individual's healing rate.

An estimation of the time-to-heal is nearly always given in Japanese papers. It is only an estimation, but it gives an idea of the severity of the cuts, and the crime.
Sherman at 10:10 AM JST - 24th February

What was he doing out of the loony bin? There are just too many of these nutters on the streets.
borscht at 12:19 PM JST - 24th February

What was he doing out of the loony bin?

Running for office?
Disillusioned at 01:03 PM JST - 24th February

are investigating to what extent he can be held criminally responsible.

This is what sux about the Japanese law system. If this nutter is proven to be mentally unstable he will get a suspended sentence if anything and let back out on the streets. However, if he is mentally unstable he should be locked up for longer than a sane person. But this is Japan. You have to be 30% mentally unstable just to function in the society.
IchyaWarFare at 01:19 PM JST - 24th February

Hope the University kid heals up. Not sure if we he was trying to play hero, but good to him for standing up to it.
likeitis at 03:04 PM JST - 24th February

However, if he is mentally unstable he should be locked up for longer than a sane person.

Actually, I see no reason why he should ever be wandering free ever again. At least with a sane person, you can reason with them. The criminally insane are a dangerous lot. They could crack at any time. You might have gotten through to them one day, but they turn on you the next.
dennis0bauer at 03:16 PM JST - 24th February

again those unemployed!
BBLeo at 07:00 PM JST - 24th February

Here we are again. The same convenience store was robbed before and security was not upgraded. This student, took a chance to protect employers assets, and he was lucky that he is till alive. He should get a good reward for his risk. Good job mate but don't be such hero next time it could cost you your life. Therefore again the robber is unemployed.
ca1ic0cat at 11:19 PM JST - 24th February

There's a fine line between a hero and a fool. I wouldn't have chased the crook. Maybe the clerks should start carrying paint ball guns. The things give a good sting and it's easy to find the crook. He's the one with the paint and welts...
jonobugs at 01:10 AM JST - 25th February

I don't think that the student was an employee of the store. It just states in the article that he was in the store at the time, which makes it even more odd that he would chase after the man. However, he, like many other people, probably felt a strong urge to 'do' something and not just take it sitting down. Maybe it's a hero complex or something, but it's definitely something that could get him killed in the future.

I think you need to way the risks with the possible outcome. Why bother risking your life for a bit of money? If he felt the need to "do" something, he could have just followed the man to make sure he didn't get away. If he got into a car, just take down the license plate. Yell, scream but it's foolish to take on an armed man when your life isn't in danger.
yawmin at 02:49 AM JST - 25th February

the news is so nebulous but at least they got the healing time right for the neck wound -=p
WilliB at 02:51 AM JST - 25th February

I am all for courage and doing the right thing, but chasing a knife-wielding guy who wanted to rob a conbini? That is plain stupid.