"Sorry"... Middle School Students Who Stole a Car Three Days After Being Released from the Police Station

Most Runaway Youth... Stolen Goods Used for Living Expenses
Police: "Repeat Offenses Continue Without Guilt"

A group of teenagers who habitually stole valuables from unlocked vehicles has been caught by the police.

On the 22nd, Jeju Dongbu Police Station announced that they had arrested A (14) on charges of special theft and applied for arrest warrants for three others, including B (15). Additionally, five accomplices, including C (15), who committed the crimes with them, have been booked on the same charges and are under investigation.

A and the others are accused of randomly opening car doors parked in apartment and villa parking lots in Jeju City a total of 18 times from the 7th to the 11th of last month, breaking into the vehicles with unlocked doors, and stealing cash and gift certificates worth approximately 6.94 million won.

Most of them were runaway youths. After receiving consecutive reports of the incidents, the police formed a dedicated team to investigate and gradually apprehended the suspects who were hiding in motels and other places.

A person stealing valuables from a vehicle with an open door. [Image provided by Jeju Dongbu Police Station]

Notably, four of them showed remorse during police questioning, saying "We were wrong," but were caught committing the same crimes again just three days after being released.

They told the police that all the stolen valuables were used for living expenses and other needs.

A police official stated, "Since they repeatedly committed crimes without any sense of guilt, we felt it necessary to instill the awareness that criminal acts carry corresponding responsibilities, and therefore, despite their minor status, we had no choice but to apply for arrest warrants." He added, "When parking vehicles, always make sure to lock the doors and avoid leaving valuables inside the car."