THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
December 17, 2019 at 14:35 JST
Stolen items seized by the police (Provided by Saitama prefectural police)
SAITAMA—Four family members who have been living in a car were arrested over a suspected half-year crime spree of nighttime break-ins, shoplifting and pickpocketing, police said Dec. 16.
The suspects have admitted to the allegations of trespassing, theft and other crimes, saying they needed money to support their lives, police said.
Saitama prefectural police said papers on the family have been sent to prosecutors.
Police say the total value of the items pilfered by the family was about 3.97 million yen ($36,200).
The suspects were identified as: Satoki Sakaue, 62; his wife, Yasue, 55; their son, Yuki, 26; and Shihomi Kumakawa, 30, a daughter of Yasue and her former husband.
They have been living near a pond in a car borrowed from an acquaintance of Yuki since February.
The suspects broke in to restaurants, fishing goods stores and other businesses at night in the northern part of the prefecture from February through July and sold the stolen goods, including fishing gear, according to police.
They are also suspected of stealing food and the wallets of customers at supermarkets.
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