Convenience Store Transportation Card Recharge 'Meoktwinam'... "Repeat Offender, Nationwide Store Owners Beware"

Evaded Two Convenience Stores for 40 Minutes... Police in Pursuit

The police have launched an investigation after reports were received that a customer fled without paying after recharging a transportation card at two convenience stores in Incheon.

According to the Namdong Police Station in Incheon on the 21st, a report was made to 112 at around 7:30 p.m. on the 18th from a convenience store in Ganseok-dong, Namdong-gu, stating that "a customer recharged a transportation card and fled without paying." About 40 minutes later, at around 8:10 p.m., a similar report of damage was received from a convenience store in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, located approximately 800 meters on foot from the first reported location.

The suspect, Mr. A, is believed to have recharged transportation cards with amounts worth 30,000 won and 40,000 won at the two convenience stores respectively, then fled outside the stores without making payment.

Victimized Store Owner: "Seems to be a Repeat Offender... Store Owners, Please Be Careful"

A's appearance captured on the convenience store's closed-circuit television (CCTV). [Image source=online community 'BobaeDream']

The incident first came to light when Mr. B, the owner of the convenience store in Guwol-dong, posted a message titled "Public Wanted Notice for Convenience Store Fraudster" on an online community.

Mr. B explained the situation, saying, "I've seen people run off after eating at restaurants, but this is the first time I've seen someone run off after recharging a transportation card. He acted like he was going to pay the part-time worker, then said, 'My father is waiting outside. I'll just give you the transportation card and come right back,' and fled the moment he left."

Mr. B shared a photo of Mr. A and said, "He seems to be a habitual offender. From the moment he came in, he was looking around nervously. Also, while recharging the card, he distracted the part-time worker by talking to him." He added, "I urge convenience store owners nationwide to be cautious and to collect payment before recharging transportation cards."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as "His face should be revealed," "Pathetic," "The part-time worker must have been flustered," and "Strong punishment should be imposed to prevent 'eoljuka' crimes from happening again."

The police reviewed the convenience stores’ internal CCTV and confirmed that the man identified as the suspect is the same individual. They are currently tracking Mr. A. The transportation card used by Mr. A was found to be an unregistered card. A police official stated, "We will investigate the escape route and other details to apprehend the suspect."

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