'Assault Punished if Crime Fails'... Gang of Teens Involved in 'Geumeunbang and Ppokgibam Specialized Burglary' Caught

Providing Food and Lodging and Crime Method Education for Runaway Youths

Captured footage of a robbery at a gold and silver shop and prize machine parlor [Provided by Pocheon Police Station]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] A gang that broke into jewelry stores and claw machine arcades in the Seoul metropolitan area late at night to steal valuables has been caught by the police.

The Pocheon Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 19th, "We have arrested eight people, including A (22), on charges of theft and attempted theft, and are currently investigating."

The gang led by A is suspected of breaking into jewelry stores and claw machine arcades in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province eight times from April until recently, stealing valuables worth approximately 2 million won.

According to the police investigation, the suspects are senior and junior acquaintances from Bupyeong District, Incheon. The ringleader A reportedly recruited runaway youths at his tattoo shop, providing them with lodging and meals while teaching them theft techniques and rules of the crime.

In particular, some members of the gang who instructed the crimes, including A, have prior convictions for similar offenses, and it is reported that they even assaulted the youths if they failed in their crimes.

The runaway youths, under the direction of A and others, scouted targets such as jewelry stores and claw machine arcades in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas including Uijeongbu, Yeoncheon, Pocheon, and Gimpo, and committed the crimes late at night using tools.

They failed in their attempts at jewelry stores equipped with sturdy locks and functioning theft alarm systems, but mainly stole cash from claw machine arcades, which they used for entertainment expenses and living costs.

While the runaway youths confessed to all the crimes at the police station, the ringleader A and three others who instructed the crimes reportedly deny the charges.

According to the police, the court dismissed the arrest warrant application, stating, "The suspects are juveniles and there is no risk of flight."

However, the police plan to reapply for arrest warrants after further investigating additional crimes through seized items and digital forensic analysis of mobile phones obtained from the suspects.

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