Man arrested over $11,000 grape theft in western Japan

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An estimated 650 bunches of grapes were stolen.

An estimated 650 bunches of grapes were stolen.

PHOTO: PIXABAY

  • A 42-year-old man was arrested in western Japan for stealing about 650 bunches of grapes worth approximately S$11,400 from a greenhouse.
  • The suspect, Masakazu Maeda, partially denied the amount stolen but admitted selling the grapes online to pay for living expenses.
  • The theft occurred between 7am on August 4 and 6am the following day, involving Shine Muscat and other grape varieties.

AI generated

TOKYO – Japan’s police said on Aug 29 that they have arrested a 42-year-old unemployed man of no fixed address on suspicion of stealing about 650 bunches of grapes worth roughly 1.43 million yen (S$11,400) from a greenhouse in Okayama Prefecture.

Masakazu Maeda, who has already been indicted in another grape theft case, has partially denied the allegation, with the police in western Japan quoting him as saying, “I don’t think there were as many as 650 bunches, from what I remember.”

The police suspect Maeda stole Shine Muscat and other grapes between around 7am local time on Aug 4 and about 6am the following day.

According to the police, he told investigators he sold the grapes online on flea market and auction sites to cover living expenses. KYODO NEWS

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