Elderly man funded expensive sushi dinners for strangers using stolen money
A 71-year-old Japanese man has been arrested in Fukuoka Prefecture for committing 63 burglaries across multiple regions, all in an effort to appear “cool.” His crime spree, which lasted over a year, allowed him to treat entire restaurants to lavish sushi dinners—using money stolen from unsuspecting victims, including elderly women.
Investigators report that the suspect, Kazunori Inagaki, broke into homes in Fukuoka, Oita, and Kumamoto Prefectures, stealing cash and gift certificates worth approximately 9.3 million yen. His primary targets were rural houses, which he raided during the day while the owners were working in the fields.
The Fake Strawberry Farmer
To maintain his image, Inagaki claimed to be a strawberry farmer, even customizing his car’s license plate to spell “ichigoyasan” (meaning “strawberry farmer” in Japanese). However, authorities confirmed that he never worked in agriculture. Instead, his source of income was theft, and he used the stolen money to impress strangers at high-end sushi restaurants and bars, sometimes spending up to 300,000 yen (about $1,910) per night.
Targeting the Elderly
Among his many victims was a 91-year-old woman in Oita Prefecture, whose home he burglarized in July 2024. Another case that led to his arrest was the theft of 140,000 yen from a 76-year-old woman in Kumamoto. Initially, Inagaki denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had “no memory” of the incidents, but he later confessed to all charges.
The Desire to “Look Cool”
When questioned, Inagaki admitted that he initially resorted to theft due to financial struggles, believing his pension and welfare payments were insufficient. However, he also stated, “I paid for those meals because I wanted to look cool.”
Despite his extravagant attempts to impress, his crimes ultimately caught up with him. Now, instead of fine sushi, he’ll be dining on prison meals—far from the glamorous image he tried so hard to create.
via Soranews24
nanijapan.com