Japanese detained for shoplifting
Japanese detained for shoplifting
JAKARTA (JP): Plaza Indonesia security guards escorted a
Japanese citizen, accused of stealing souvenirs from a stand, to
Jakarta Police Headquarters, a police officer said on Saturday.
Sr. Insp. Reinhard Hutagaol from Jakarta Police Headquarters
said Higuchi was nabbed on Friday with three plastic bags
containing souvenirs, such as frames, a candle, mug and soap
dish, collectively worth 1.9 million (US$215), said to have been
taken from the Garasi souvenir shop on the third floor of the
shopping center.
Reinhard refused to provide further information about the
suspect but said that Higuchi was staying at the five-star Grand
Hyatt hotel, which is connected to the shopping center.
The shop owner, who asked not to be named, told The Jakarta
Post that the stands which displayed the merchandise, like many
stands on the same floor, were not locked.
"There are other stands on the third floor but he only stole
goods displayed at ours," the woman said.
A shop attendant discovered the theft on Friday morning, Sikus
Siska Wati.
"She then alerted the security guards," he said.
Officer Reinhard said there was a possibility that the
suspected shoplifter might be suffering from emotional problems
as he had given unusual responses to questions raised by the
investigators.
But he gave no further explanation.
He explained that three guards at the plaza -- Ato Aryanto,
Rudolf and Amrizal -- saw Higuchi roaming around the shopping
center on Friday morning.
"He was seen by the witnesses (the three guards) wandering
around and taking pictures. He was carrying three plastic bags,"
he said.
"But they didn't suspect him of any wrongdoing. They thought
the Japanese was just one of the hotel's guests."
The guards only realized that something had happened after
they received a report from shop attendant Sikus.
"They then rushed to the hotel to question the suspect. Later
they found the missing items in the three plastic bags in
Higuchi's room," Reinhard said. (lup)