Two teens arrested for purse-snatching

Saturday 24th October, 04:00 PM JST

SAKAI —

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested Friday on suspicion of robbery after stealing one woman’s purse and attempting to steal another woman’s purse in Sakai City, Osaka.

According to police, just after noon, the pair, who were on a scooter, had attempted to steal the purse of an 81-year-old woman who was walking down the street, but failed. About 15 minutes later, the two youths approached a 59-year-old woman, who was riding a bicycle, about 200 meters from where the first incident took place. They rode up behind her and snatched her purse containing 48,000 yen.

Police said that a helicopter on patrol had spotted the first incident and alerted a patrol car in the area. The two suspects were picked up about an hour later. They were quoted as saying they “just wanted some money to have fun.”

Wire reports

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14 Comments

knews at 04:46 PM JST - 24th October

The helicopter crew has very good eyes!
noborito at 05:23 PM JST - 24th October

we are being watched. why would they rob someone like that. drunks must be easier targets? they wouldn't even remember.
Jbizzle at 05:44 PM JST - 24th October

Cowards
Disillusioned at 09:43 PM JST - 24th October

Has anybody seen the Felix The Cat ads on cable TV promoting handbag safety? They are great ads if you are four years old. I doubt if any adults would pay attention to them. Obviously, these ladies didn't.
cow76 at 10:19 PM JST - 24th October

So if this is big news it suggests that bag snatching is a rare event in Japan?
Apsara at 10:27 PM JST - 24th October

It's not at all rare these days. I think it's rare that they actually arrest anyone for it though.
Sarge at 10:33 PM JST - 24th October

"attempted to steal the purse of an 81-year-old woman who was walking down the street, but failed"

Two youths at their physical peak - 0

81-year-old woman - 1.
JHansen at 12:51 AM JST - 25th October

More proof that Japan doesn't suffer from such horrible crime as most of the Western world, esp the USA. This type of story would not have made it in the local paper let alone a national one.
MeanRingo at 01:36 AM JST - 25th October

But Hansen I imagine this woman would agree that Japan is going down the toilet.
JHansen at 01:55 AM JST - 25th October

I do not for one second seek to make light of the crime. To the woman it is very real and, perhaps, a sign that Japan is going "down the toilet." Yet, I bet one could find examples of this type of crime in almost every period of Japanese history. There may be more crime now in Japan than in the recent past but it is still a very safe and crime free society, especially when compared to other developed nations.
kokorocloud at 12:05 PM JST - 25th October

I like how they failed with the 81 year old woman. Good job, obaa-san.
Foxie at 08:13 PM JST - 25th October

I hope that for the safety of all citizens, they will put many more helicopter patrols on. They really seem to be paying off lately.
Klein2 at 10:30 PM JST - 25th October

JHansen. Amen to that.

It is not because people live in fear or "vigilance", or that perps are afraid of being locked up in prison forever either. I wonder what it is. The general level of decency is higher? Or people are generally older?
eigonosensei at 09:04 AM JST - 26th October

"Two youths at their physical peak"

Your health and vigor went down that much over the years, Sarge? I'm almost 40 and I could easily whip my own 17-year-old ass.