Man in 30s Arrested for Stealing Money by Forcing Entry with Just a 'Driver' While Touring Traditional Markets Nationwide

by Kim Yongu

Published 16 Feb.2021 08:27(KST)

Updated 12 Aug.2025 16:03(KST)

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Busanjin Police Station Tracks and Arrests 30s Suspect Who Stole 12 Million Won from 11 Locations Nationwide Including Busan, Suwon, Daejeon, and Gwangju

Mr. A, who opened the entrance doors of traditional market shops nationwide with a screwdriver and stole cash, has been arrested. [Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A so-called 'driver' who broke into traditional market shops and swept up cash and coins has been arrested.

The Criminal Division of Busanjin Police Station in Busan announced on the 16th that Mr. A (male, in his 30s) was arrested on charges of habitual theft for damaging and breaking into the entrance doors of traditional market shops nationwide with weak security facilities and stealing cash and other items.

His tool of crime was a commonly available screwdriver. With just this one tool, traditional market shops across the country were at his mercy.

According to the police, on January 29 at 12:13 a.m., Mr. A damaged the entrance door of a mart inside Bujeon Market in Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, using a screwdriver, broke in, and stole about 700,000 won in cash and other items.

From December last year to the end of January this year, Mr. A broke into traditional market stores nationwide with weak security facilities, stealing a total of approximately 12.2 million won over 11 incidents, according to investigations.

Banknotes and cash stolen by Mr. A. [Busan Police Agency]

The places where Mr. A used the screwdriver included three locations in Busan, two in Suwon, three in Daejeon, one in Ulsan, and two in Gwangju, truly nationwide.

Busanjin Police Station received damage reports, formed a special investigation team from the violent crimes unit, tracked CCTV footage, and arrested the suspect who was staying at a motel.