Man in His 40s Arrested for Breaking into Traditional Market Store and Stealing Cash

A man in his 40s was arrested after breaking into the windows of shops in a traditional market with weak security and stealing cash worth about 5 million won.

The Boryeong Police Station in South Chungcheong Province announced on the 25th that they had arrested Mr. A (in his 40s) on charges of theft. He broke into 14 shops in traditional markets in Boryeong City and Seocheon County over two days, from the 15th to the 16th, and stole 5 million won in cash kept in safes.

According to the police investigation, Mr. A committed the crime to pay off debts incurred from online gambling, taking advantage of the fact that security in traditional market shops is weak during late-night hours.

Mr. A showed meticulousness by wearing a hat, gloves, and a warmer to conceal his identity, and after the crime, he tried to confuse his escape route by taking a taxi twice.

The police tracked his movements using CCTV footage and arrested him at his hideout in Gunsan just one day after the crime. They recovered the stolen cash and returned it to the victims.

A police official stated, "With the vacation season approaching, the frequency of thefts targeting vacant homes and shops is increasing," and urged, "Please make sure to lock your doors and refrain from keeping cash or valuables in your shops."