The people were recently arrested by the Osaka police in Japan for allegedly stealing a delivery van carrying more than 170 Rolex watches. According to the announcement made by the police department, one of the perpetrators is a member of the Yakuza (Japanese mafia). The 52-year-old suspect, named Shinya Onishi, allegedly works for the Yamaguchi-Gumi, an internationally recognized crime syndicate with close to 3500 members. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the police report states that the Yakuza member, along with another person, stole a delivery vehicle loaded with around 200 items, including luxury watches, worth about ¥283 million (~$1.9 million).
The burglary occurred on May 21 at a street in Osaka’s Chuo Ward around 8:45 in the morning. The vehicle was reportedly on its way to deliver the watches to a Rolex distributor from a distribution center in Osaka. According to the police, the van’s driver, a woman in her 60s, had stopped to make a delivery and left the vehicle unattended for about three minutes. The report states that the driver did not take the key while making the delivery and that the doors were also left unlocked. The perpetrators took advantage of the situation and stole the van and all the items inside. The police are currently investigating if this is a case of organized crime with direct involvement of the Yakuza.
Why settle for a store heist? This Yakuza member went Fast & Furious, making a daring getaway with a van full of 170 Rolexes
