Japanese Peace Bell stolen and sold to scrap dealer in Yalova

Authorities in Yalova are investigating the theft of the 37-year-old Japanese Peace Bell, a symbol of the friendship between Yalova and the Japanese city of Tonami. The 87-kilogram bell was stolen from a park on Cengiz Koçal Street on the night of September 14, 2026.

Police investigations, aided by camera footage, revealed that three suspects arrived at the scene on a gray, unlicensed three-wheeled electric motorcycle. The suspects reportedly used metal shears to cut the bell from its handle before loading it onto the vehicle. One suspect claimed that the electric motorcycle ran out of charge, forcing them to carry the bell manually for a period.

One of the three suspects has been apprehended. According to the suspect's statement, the bell was sold to a scrap dealer in the Bağlarbaşı neighborhood for 26,000 TL approximately one week after the theft. The suspect claimed they were promised a share of 4,500 TL and stated they were unaware of the bell's spiritual and cultural significance. Efforts to locate the bell and the remaining two suspects are ongoing.