Eldery Japanese are Turning to Crime

Posted by Alex in Crime & Law, Money & Finance on December 24, 2008 at 2:39 pm


Loneliness and tough economic times are hurting everyone, including the elderly Japanese, who are now turning to petty crime in increasing numbers:

One hour later, officers stopped a second suspect, an 80-year-old man. He had enough money to pay for all of his groceries, but security officers said he tried to leave the store without paying for medicine for an upset stomach.

"I’m so sorry," he told officers. "I live alone. My wife is in the hospital." [...]

Petty crimes by the elderly are a worse problem than thievin’ teens:

On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, more elderly than teenagers — by a 3 to 2 ratio — were arrested in 2006, police said.

Despite the arrest numbers, prosecutions of the elderly in a culture that holds them in high regard are rare. Stores often don’t even report the crime to police, according to security experts.

The 80-year-old man who stole the stomach medicine was eventually led to his bicycle by store security. The security officer helped the man with his groceries and bowed in respect, hoping the elderly man had learned his lesson and would return as a good customer.

CNN has the story: LinkThanks Tiffany!


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COMMENT

12 comments to "Eldery Japanese are Turning to Crime"

  1. Ali S.
    December 24th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Now all we need a slow speed chase with an elderly person in a Rascal driving down the street with a police car following behind.

  2. Evilbeagle
    December 24th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    This is so sad, but would be an awesome plot for a movie.

  3. Sofar
    December 24th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    I've always liked the whole "old people are awesome" thing they've got over there in Japan.

  4. ted
    December 24th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

    An awesome plot for a movie?

  5. Evilbeagle
    December 24th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    ted, I totally see it.

  6. Corinne
    December 24th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2A6UJEj81k

    Hell's Grannies! xD

    No, no. It really is sad that people have to resort to that sort of thing.

  7. liphttam1
    December 24th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    Old bad guys call for old superheroes! It's old man! He can fly, as long as he doesn't fall asleep! Look its aqua-old-man! Hes just as useless as the original!

  8. Corinne
    December 25th, 2008 at 12:02 am

    @liphttam Old Aqua Man? Hah. He doesn't even have to summon the creatures of the deep to get all pruney and wrinkly. That should be a super-power right there. >_<

  9. Christophe
    December 25th, 2008 at 12:43 am

    "The security officer helped the man with his groceries and bowed in respect, hoping the elderly man had learned his lesson and would return as a good customer"

    Wow. That's a lesson in business.

    Or... in cultural differences...

  10. antifa
    December 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am

    Proletarian shopping!

    http://www.evil-wire.org/~jacobian/proleshop.png

  11. Skipweasel
    December 25th, 2008 at 8:32 am

    Try doing that in a Walmart.

  12. Rocky Rook
    December 27th, 2008 at 5:23 pm

    Obama needs to fix this problem.


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