Over 18 Million Won Stolen in 2 Weeks, 'Buddha's Palm'... Gang Specializing in Stealing Donation Boxes Targeting Temples Without Surveillance Caught

Gyeongnam Jinju Police Station Arrests and Detains 3 Suspects for Robbing 31 Temples Nationwide

Jinju Police Station, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Three members of a gang who targeted unattended temples nationwide and stole money donated by worshippers have been arrested. They stole a total of 18 million won over two weeks, but it was a 'Buddha's palm' situation.

Jinju Police Station in Gyeongnam announced on the 5th that they arrested and detained three suspects, including Mr. A (30), who specialized in robbing donation boxes while visiting temples across the country.

According to the police, the gang members, who were senior and junior acquaintances met in society, broke into the main hall of a temple located on Ihyeondugok-gil in Jinju, Gyeongnam, at 2:45 a.m. on the 22nd of last month.

While Mr. A kept watch, Mr. B (30) and Mr. C (28) fled with the entire donation box containing 4 million won, but were caught by the police pursuit.

Investigations revealed that from the 17th to the 30th of last month, they broke into 31 temples nationwide, including 22 in Gyeongnam, 5 in Gyeongbuk, and 2 each in Gyeonggi and Gangwon, either carrying away the donation boxes intact or breaking locks to steal the donated money.

It was found that they stole valuables worth a total of 18 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.