An Elderly Woman Accused of Theft for Picking Up Trash Cleared of Charges After Prosecutor's Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] The prosecution has cleared the injustice of an elderly woman who was accused of theft while collecting recyclables through investigation. Additionally, they recognized the condition of a suspect suspected of dementia and informed the relevant local government to request appropriate support.

▲The above photo is not related to the article (Source=Asia Economy DB)

On the 4th, the Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kwon Hyun-yoo) carried out "law enforcement with heart" for socially vulnerable or marginalized groups in the second half of last year. Instead of simply punishing suspects, they cooperated with local governments and others to carefully examine the specific circumstances of the parties involved and ensure appropriate treatment, protection, and support.

Thanks to listening to the suspect's voice, the prosecution resolved the injustice of a woman in her 60s, Ms. A, who was accused of stealing a metal plate supporting a gym signboard while collecting recyclables. In March of last year, the police transferred the case to the prosecution based on CCTV footage confirming Ms. A carrying something on her bicycle. However, Ms. A strongly denied the charge, stating that although she took gym flyers and other recyclable paper while collecting recyclables, she never took the metal plate.

The prosecution requested the police to conduct supplementary investigation, emphasizing the need to carefully examine what the object Ms. A carried in the CCTV footage was, considering she had no prior criminal record and listening to her claims. Subsequently, through video analysis by the National Forensic Service, it was confirmed that the object was not a metal plate but a sack-like item used to hold recyclables. The police changed their opinion and dismissed the charges against Ms. A.

They also informed the district office and the relevant community center about suspect Mr. B, who was suspected of dementia, and requested support for accompanied medical treatment. In October last year, the police sent the case to prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on charges of property damage, alleging that Mr. B, an elderly woman in her 80s living alone, scratched the hoods of neighbors' cars on four occasions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Upon reviewing records, the prosecution confirmed that Mr. B had no conflicts with the victims and could not remember the damage even while watching CCTV footage during police investigation, raising suspicion of dementia. They found that despite this, she was living alone without protection or support. In November last year, they confirmed with the relevant district office that although the suspect was a basic livelihood security recipient, she had not been assessed for dementia or disability grades and thus was not receiving care services.

Thereafter, the prosecution informed the district office and the relevant community center that Mr. B had no practical guardian and was in a situation where it was difficult to receive a dementia diagnosis, requesting support for accompanied medical treatment. With the support of the community center, Mr. B was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia and will receive dementia-related support from the local public health center's dementia relief center, as well as care services from the community center's care workers and home visit medical support. Mr. B was given a suspended prosecution disposition.

The prosecution stated, "We will continue to work closely with related organizations to protect socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the poor, and actively support the social reintegration of marginalized groups who find normal social life difficult, as a way to realize restorative justice."