Teenage gang sentenced to prison for robbing 14 PC bangs targeting 'late-night business restrictions'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Four teenagers who committed theft at a PC bang that had closed for late-night hours in accordance with social distancing guidelines were sentenced to imprisonment and suspended imprisonment.

On the 21st, Chief Judge Shim Tae-gyu of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 1 announced that Jo Mo (18), who was indicted on charges of special theft, property damage, and fraud, was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in long-term imprisonment and 1 year in short-term imprisonment, and Jang Mo (18) was sentenced to 1 year and 4 months in long-term imprisonment and 1 year in short-term imprisonment.

Additionally, accomplices Jo Mo (17) and Kim Mo (18) were sentenced to 1 year in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.

They were indicted on charges of breaking into a PC bang in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, around 3 a.m. on January 20 by smashing the door with a stone, stealing cash and a safe worth approximately 5.81 million won, and stealing goods worth a total of about 27.7 million won from 14 PC bangs in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province between January and February of this year.

They are also accused of posting an online advertisement in January stating "Latest mobile phones sold directly for 620,000 won" and fleeing the scene after taking the money without completing the transaction.

The main perpetrators, Jo and Jang, were previously sentenced to prison for special theft in February last year and served their sentences.

Chief Judge Shim stated, "The fact that they committed crimes again during the recidivism period is an unfavorable circumstance," but also noted, "considering that they are still juveniles."

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