crime

Shoplifting suspect drags store employee along in car while trying to escape

16 Comments

Police said Saturday that a shoplifting suspect in Togane, Chiba Prefecture, is facing assault and theft charges after his car dragged a female store clerk, who had been chasing him, causing her severe injuries.

According to police, the suspect, identified as Takehiko Noguchi, 41, was spotted putting merchandise into a basket by a 39-year-old female store clerk on Nov 19, TV Asahi reported. When he left the store with the basket, the woman followed him. Police said Noguchi got into a car and as he pulled away, the woman grabbed hold of the car and was dragged behind it for about 10 meters.

Noguchi was quoted by police as saying that he didn't know anyone was being dragged by his car as he drove away.

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16 Comments
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They need to promote that woman to manager.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

That woman is lucky she wasn't killed, she needs to be commended but promotion based on stupidity isn't a good thing.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

she needs to be commended but promotion based on stupidity isn't a good thing.

Commendation for stupidity is ok but promotion isn't?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

One would have thought that recording his number plate would have been sufficient. What did he steal that was worth her risking her life for?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Unless this woman can produce witnesses that Mr. Noguchi saw her then this is all her fault.

She chose to grab the door of a car that was not her own, then chose not to let go, and was dragged. If someone leaps in the way of a moving car then it is not the driver's fault if they are struck.

As for the theft accusation, well, Mr. Noguchi better hope he has a receipt for the goods in his car. Even if he is a thief though this woman acted unwisely, especially given that the police could probably have been there before Mr. Noguchi even had time to leave the parking lot if she had instead chosen to pick up the phone and call them.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

All very noble I'm sure but why risk your life for a ¥750 an hour bait job?

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Sorry, it is not even a risk that is going to entail any payoff, as it is impossible for a human to hold on to and stop any machine like a car. There was also no one's life at stake, nothing heroic about it.

She probably wasn't thinking, was in a fury of some sort, irrationally grabbed on to the car door or whatever, then when it started to move, was stubborn and refused to let go at first, then as it moved faster, there may have come a point where she couldn't release because of some sort of panic instinct that made her think she had to hold on for dear life. Perhaps afraid of rolling under the tires, etc.

Anyhow, the thief should be charged for being a thief, not for having an irrational crazy attatch herself to his car. IMHO

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I have to agree that while what she tried to do was noble, it was not at all worth the risk and the injuries she sustained as a result. The only plus is that the dirtbag who committed the crime will face more serious charges. But again, there is no way the guy could have been stealing much in terms of money, and I doubt the woman is making more than minimum wage, so there could have been a better way. Throw one of those neon paint filled balls at the car and trigger a security alarm. I hope she recovers soon.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Unless this woman can produce witnesses that Mr. Noguchi saw her then this is all her fault.

According to police and news reports, the man was trying to escape after an employee at the store saw him leaving with the basket in hand. The employee went after the man who jumped into his car. The employee grabbed the open door and the man drove off quickly pulling her along. The man claims that he 'does not remember pulling the women', which is not at all the same as him saying he did not do it. In addition, legally a driver is responsible for what is going on with their car and it can be legally argued that he should have been aware of a woman hanging on the open door of his car.

My opinion? Noguchi knew exactly what he was doing, did not care and just wanted to get away.

http://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000017036.html

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Crazy! Why in the world even dare to try and stop some guy in a CAR??? She is just lucky she was not run over and cut all up by this stupid guy in a CAR, sorry Noguchi san, good intentions but we all need better JUDGMENT sometimes.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

sorry Noguchi san, good intentions but we all need better JUDGMENT sometimes.

Noguchi is the suspect and I highly doubt his intentions were good, neither was his judgement. The woman is a hero and I cannot understand anyone criticizing her for doing what she thought was right.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@slumdog because obviously what you think is right is completely wrong. The man who stole ignored that it was wrong to steal, the woman who held onto a moving car out of defiance against a petty thief ignored that it's wrong to value your store's merchandise over your own life.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@slumdog because obviously what you think is right is completely wrong.

She stopped a criminal who was willing to drag another human being in the streets rather than get caught. Who knows what Takehiko Noguchi would have done the next time, had he not been caught.

the woman who held onto a moving car out of defiance

Wow, what a negative way to look at things. The woman risk her life for what she thought was right. I think that is admirable. She also possibly prevented something horrible happening to someone else.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@slumdog the more sensible thing would have been to get his license plate and give it to the police. Don't these stores have cameras in the parking lot anyway? Grabbing a moving vehicle is just plan stupid and she should be repremended not commended. That would only encourage others to do what she did. it sends the wrong message.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

slumdog the more sensible thing would have been to get his license plate and give it to the police.

Yes, I agree that would have been sensible. The thing is, I don't think she was 'thinking' as much as reacting to the situation. Adrenaline kicked in and she acted. The same way many heroic acts are performed, many of which are probably not the most sensible approaches, but indeed were heroic. I am not suggesting what this woman did should be a model reaction. I am just suggesting that she is one brave woman and the world needs more people that actually react when they see something wrong.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

With the greatest respect - what did the employee hope to achieve by latching onto the car? Im conjuring images of The Terminator here. Leave this stuff to the cops.

I hope and pray the lady makes a full recovery.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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