Restaurant Says "Stop Taking Empty Bottles"... Elderly Person Runs Away Saying "I Did Nothing Wrong"

Elderly Man Habitually Stealing by Trespassing on Private Property
Familiar with Picking Up Empty Bottles and Taking Them Fully
"Regardless of the Amount, Stress from Trespassing on Private Property"

The story of a restaurant owner suffering damages due to an elderly person who habitually commits theft by trespassing on private property has been reported. On the 7th, JTBC's 'Case Manager' revealed footage of the thief stealing everything from empty bottles to chairs from the restaurant. Informant A stated to JTBC, "We collect empty bottles all at once from the crates at the business, but recently, over the past month or two, we've noticed them disappearing frequently."

[Image source=JTBC 'Sageon Banjang' capture]

A later tip from a nearby empty bottle collection company led A to accidentally catch the culprit. A explained, "The owner of the bottle collection company said an elderly woman kept coming to sell commercial empty bottles, not for household use, which seemed strange, so they observed her closely," and thus learned her description. After checking the closed-circuit television (CCTV), A warned the elderly person, "Do not steal again. If it happens again, I will report you," but the elderly person did not stop stealing.

The released CCTV footage shows an elderly person entering an alley, picking up empty bottles, and, as if familiar with the act, slipping them into their pants pocket. On another day, the person even appeared carrying a bag, filled it with empty bottles, and calmly disappeared. A said, "Even when caught in the act doing the same thing, they shouted as if saying 'I did nothing wrong' and fled multiple times." When A, unable to tolerate it any longer, locked the alley door with a padlock to block access, the elderly person began stealing items from other stores.

A said, "At first, they only stole 100-won empty bottles, but the thefts became bolder, even taking plastic chairs from other stores," and added, "Regardless of the amount, the stress of someone trespassing on private property and touching my belongings was too much, so I reported it to the police."

According to criminal law, entering a person's residence, managed building, vessel, aircraft, or occupied room without permission is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 5 million won. If a person refuses to leave after being asked to do so, they can also be punished.