'Broke Glass in 9 Seconds and Entered Gold Exchange... Duo Thieves Fled'

Unaware of 'Automatic Safe Display Case' Installation, Intruder Caught After Fleeing Following Failed Crime Attempt

Two men in their 30s who attempted to break into a gold exchange in the early morning to steal valuables were caught by the police after failing due to a display case covered with iron plates.

On the 12th, the Pyeongtaek Police Station in Gyeonggi Province reported to Yonhap News that they plan to request arrest warrants for Mr. A and another person on suspicion of attempted special theft. The two, who are friends, are accused of breaking the glass window of a gold exchange in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, at 3:17 a.m. on the 11th with a blunt object and entering inside to steal valuables. Mr. A was able to enter the gold exchange easily but, upon seeing that the gold items were covered with iron plates, judged that theft was impossible and fled immediately.

A breaking a glass window to infiltrate the gold exchange [Image source=Provided by Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency, Yonhap News]

According to the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the crime, Mr. A got off the motorcycle driven by his accomplice and immediately struck the glass window of the gold exchange mercilessly with a blunt object, breaking in within about 9 seconds. However, after looking around inside, he soon hesitated. Upon confirming the unexpected situation that the display case was covered with iron plates, Mr. A quickly ran outside.

At this gold exchange, instead of a typical glass case, gold items have been stored in a specially made 'automatic safe display case.' This display case operates so that when the owner activates the theft prevention device upon leaving, the display shelf holding the gold items lowers by about 29 cm, and an iron plate made of an alloy and aluminum covers the top.

A police official told Yonhap News, "It takes about 30 minutes just to remove the iron plate used as a cover on the automatic safe display case, making it practically impossible to steal the items inside," adding, "Since the crime occurred in the early morning, it appears the suspects broke in without knowing that such a device was installed at the gold exchange."

The police tracked the route of the motorcycle used in the crime and arrested the two at a lodging facility in Cheongju, Chungbuk Province, at 8:56 p.m. on the same day.

They reportedly stated that they committed the crime "to repay debts due to heavy loan burdens."