"Robbed in Broad Daylight in Front of Everyone" Three-Person Theft Gang at Nowon-gu Unmanned Store

A Trio of Three Males and Females Estimated to Be in Late Teens to Early 20s
Crime Committed Over One Hour During Peak Customer Hours

In broad daylight, in front of customers and passersby, a trio of young men and women damaged an unmanned store's payment machine and stole cash in Nowon-gu, Seoul.

On the 14th, a story titled "An unmanned store was robbed in broad daylight in front of all the customers" was posted on the self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm a Boss).

On the 14th, a story titled "My unmanned store was robbed in broad daylight in front of all the customers" was posted on the self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida'. [Photo by self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida']

Store owner Mr. A said, "I am the owner who previously introduced the story of a conscientious customer at an unmanned store (March 28, a Korea University student)," adding, "After sharing that story, I felt proud thinking it was a 'positive influence' when I saw news of similar cases happening elsewhere. However, in just over a month, the exact opposite happened. As if mocking us, three young men and women broke the kiosk (payment machine) and emptied the cash in broad daylight in front of everyone."

On the day of the incident, Mr. A was away on a business trip out of town for one night and two days. Although he usually does not leave much money in the machine, since he could not manage the store for more than a day, he put more cash (change) into the payment machine than usual the day before.

The incident occurred over about an hour from around 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM on the 10th. It was the time when customers started increasing as the end of the workday approached.

At first, a group of three people, appearing to be in their late teens to early twenties (two men and one woman), began loitering near the store. One of them, the ringleader (male), completely covered his face with a hood and mask and entered the store pretending to buy something while observing the situation.

A thief damaging machines while avoiding eye contact even as customers choose products.
[Photo by Self-Employed Community 'Apeunikka Sajangida']

After some reconnaissance, the man began to dismantle the payment machine with tools he had prepared. Although customers kept coming and going, he skillfully avoided their gaze and gradually damaged the machine.

Mr. A explained, "When customers were watching, he pretended to choose products or make a payment, and when no one was looking, he worked on dismantling the payment machine. The machine was located in a place clearly visible from outside through the front glass, yet he worked calmly. Many passersby walked by, and several customers came and went."

Meanwhile, the accomplices loitered outside, keeping watch. After about an hour of work, the ringleader completely destroyed the payment machine and took all the cash.

Mr. A said, "As soon as I hurriedly repaired the machine and normalized the business, a man who appeared to be from the same group came again on the 14th but fled after a warning announcement."
[Photo by Self-Employed Community 'Apeunikka Sajangida']

Two days earlier, on the 8th, in Tokyo, Japan, a trio of masked robbers robbed a watch store in broad daylight in front of passersby. Since it was a busy time with many people around, many witnessed the scene but thought it was a 'movie filming' and just passed by.

Mr. A speculated, "I guess they copied the Japanese incident," adding, "Because of the 'Korea University conscientious customer' who visited our store last time, I thought 'the world is still worth living in,' but experiencing something that could only be seen abroad in just a month leaves me feeling very bitter, regardless of the amount lost."

It did not end there. Mr. A said, "As soon as we hurriedly repaired the machine and resumed normal business, a man who appeared to be from the same group came again on the 14th but fled after a warning announcement. I should have reported it first," adding, "Their method is so unusual and cunning that I am sharing this to prevent other store owners from suffering damage. If you see them, please report to 112 immediately."

Netizens who read this story responded with various comments such as "They are really bold," "There are too many news like this these days," "Unmanned cafes seem to be easy targets for thieves," and "I hope they get caught for sure."

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