Photo/Illutration The Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested a security screener at Haneda Airport on suspicion of stealing cash from a passenger during a baggage inspection and announced the arrest on Sept. 15.

Ryu Matsumoto, 21, a resident of Ota Ward in Tokyo, admitted to the charges, police said. 

“I stole money to enjoy the thrill," Matsumoto told police. "I was about to quit the job because it was hard, and I was going to use the money to cover my living expenses.”

According to Tokyo Kuko Police Station, Matsumoto is accused of stealing 90,000 yen ($612) in cash at a security checkpoint for domestic flights within Terminal 1 at around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.

The victim, a man in his 30s, noticed the money missing and reported it to another security screener, leading to the discovery of the theft.

The police station said that Matsumoto stole the money from a tray, which had been placed on a security screening lane.

After his shift ended, Matsumoto reportedly went into a restroom stall and hid the money inside the cardboard tube of a toilet paper roll.

Matsumoto told investigators that he had stolen a total of 1.5 million yen in cash since August, removing bills from passengers’ wallets placed on the security screening lane approximately 70 to 80 times.

The police station plans a further investigation into the thefts.

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