Fukuoka Prefectural Police arrest man who ‘instructed’ intellectually disabled man to aid him in thefts

By Barrier Free Japan with extracts translated from The Mainichi Shimbun

July 8 2020

Content has been altered to withhold the suspects name

FUKUOKA– On July 8th, the Fukuoka Prefectural Police Department arrested a man, aged 27 on suspicion of stealing, saying that he had shoplifted using an acquaintance who had intellectual disabilities.

The suspect is accused of handing an acquaintance, a man aged 28. a shopping basket containing products such as T-shirts., at about 10:45 pm on June 12, at a mass retailer in Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City.

The suspect had know the acquaintance since junior high school. The acquaintance who has intellectual disabilities said:

“I don’t know what I would do if I refuse his order “, “I don’t know what I’ll do if I refuse (the suspect’s order),” saying he been involved in shoplifting at the instruction of the suspect.

The suspect quietly said, “I don’t want to talk about anything.