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2 clusters · 3 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

School shoe insole thefts in Toyama Prefecture

Overview

A series of unusual thefts occurred across 14 high schools in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, where perpetrators targeted the insoles of indoor shoes belonging to female students. At least 36 incidents were confirmed across seven municipalities, including Toyama, Takaoka, and Imizu. Many victims reported that insoles were forcibly removed, sometimes from shoes where they had been sewn in place. Investigators noted that victims were often high-profile students, leading to theories regarding psychological motives.

Following these reports, police arrested 35-year-old Daisuke Matsuzaki after he allegedly broke into a junior high school in Takaoka through an unlocked window. Matsuzaki was apprehended after being questioned about a suspicious scooter, at which point police discovered stolen insoles in his jacket pocket. Authorities are currently investigating whether Matsuzaki is linked to the broader series of thefts affecting high schools and junior high schools throughout western Toyama.

Entities

Daisuke Matsuzaki · Takaoka Police Station · Toyama Prefecture · Toyama District Public Prosecutors Office

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Toyama man referred to prosecutors for school shoe insole thefts

    A 35-year-old man was referred to prosecutors in Toyama, Japan, after being arrested for stealing school shoe insoles and is suspected of involvement in multiple similar thefts across the prefecture.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Toyama high schools targeted in series of shoe insole thefts

    Serial thefts of shoe insoles from female students have been reported at 14 high schools across Toyama Prefecture, Japan, often targeting students with public profiles.

Sources

fnn.jp · hamusoku.com · nishinippon.co.jp