A Man in His 40s Trying to Buy a Carton of Cigarettes with a Found Card, Unluckily Next to a Detective

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]

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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]

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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.

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."

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