Tour Bus Driver Laid Off Due to COVID-19, Labeled as a 'Condolence Money Thief'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Seongnam Jungwon Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that they have arrested and are investigating A (43) on charges of habitual theft.

According to the police, A is suspected of stealing condolence money totaling about 21.4 million won on 10 occasions from seven crematoriums nationwide, including in Seongnam, Busan, and Incheon, between April 20 and the 17th of this month.

The police identified A through closed-circuit television (CCTV) investigations and apprehended him on the 18th while he was hiding at Hotel B in Icheon.

Having worked as a tour bus driver for eight years, he lost his job in August last year due to the impact of COVID-19 and was struggling financially. It was found that he committed the crimes after noticing that bereaved families usually kept condolence money inside the funeral bus when he used to drive hearses.

A is believed to have worn a black suit and tie to avoid suspicion during the crimes, boarded the stationary bus pretending to be a mourner, and then stole the money.

A police official stated, "A testified that he committed the crimes after losing his income source due to being fired during COVID-19," adding, "We believe A may have committed additional crimes and are conducting supplementary investigations."