Suspect Who Bought Cigarettes in Bulk

A man in his 40s who was purchasing cigarettes at a convenience store using someone else's credit card was caught on the spot thanks to the sharp observation of a police officer at the convenience store.


The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 30th that Mr. A (late 40s) was sent to prosecution without detention on charges of embezzlement of lost property, violation of the Specialized Credit Finance Business Act, and fraud. Mr. A is accused of picking up a credit card left in the waiting room of Daejeon Station in Jeong-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon, at around 4:50 p.m. on the 22nd, moving to the Jung-gu area, and then purchasing cigarettes at a convenience store.


Police Lieutenant Kim Min-gyu, who stopped by the convenience store, is preventing the suspect from making a payment. [Image source=Daejeon Police Agency YouTube]

Police Lieutenant Kim Min-gyu, who stopped by the convenience store, is preventing the suspect from making a payment. [Image source=Daejeon Police Agency YouTube]

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According to the convenience store CCTV footage of the incident scene, at around 5:29 p.m. on the 22nd, Mr. A stopped by a convenience store in Jung-gu, Daejeon, to buy cigarettes. He bought two cartons of cigarettes and then returned to the convenience store to purchase one more carton.


At that time, Police Lieutenant Kim Min-gyu of the Criminal Division of the Jungbu Police Station, who was at the same convenience store, closely observed Mr. A’s suspicious behavior. When Mr. A tried to buy cigarettes again, Lieutenant Kim stopped him and asked, "This isn’t your card, is it?" When Lieutenant Kim inquired about the origin of the card, Mr. A tried to flee the scene. After about eight minutes of struggle, Mr. A was apprehended.


Sergeant Kim Min-gyu is restraining the suspect. [Image source=Daejeon Police Agency YouTube]

Sergeant Kim Min-gyu is restraining the suspect. [Image source=Daejeon Police Agency YouTube]

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Police investigation revealed that he had purchased cigarettes worth approximately 135,000 won in two separate transactions at the convenience store.


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Lieutenant Kim, who apprehended Mr. A, said, "When using a credit card obtained through crime, there is a tendency to buy cigarettes in cartons." He added, "The suspect in this case also purchased a large quantity of cigarettes, which raised suspicion." He further stated, "Using a lost property credit card under someone else’s name can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to 20 million won on charges such as embezzlement of lost property, violation of the Specialized Credit Finance Business Act, and fraud."


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

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