Teenagers Trying to Rob Unmanned Store Panic at Warning Sound After Hammer 'Bang Bang' Hits
by Seo Jiyeong
Published 20 Jan.2025 11:05(KST)
Updated 20 Jan.2025 11:09(KST)
"We Did It Because We Needed Money," They Said
Charged With Attempted Special Theft and Property Damage
A breaking into an unmanned store with a hammer. Photo by Daejeon Police Agency, Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘Middle school students who attempted theft at an unmanned store using a hammer were handed over to the prosecution.
On the 20th, the Daejeon Jungbu Police Station announced that they sent A (15) to the prosecution without detention on charges of attempted special theft and property damage, and also sent two others, including B (15), on charges of attempted special theft.
A and others are accused of breaking the lock of an unmanned device with a hammer they had prepared in advance at an unmanned ice cream shop in Taepyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, at 12:53 a.m. on the 9th of last month, and fleeing after failing to steal cash and other items. A was responsible for stealing, while B and the other two kept watch around the store, according to the investigation.
Their theft attempt was discovered by the store owner who was monitoring the store through closed-circuit television (CCTV). When the owner warned them through a speaker, the startled suspects fled, and the owner immediately reported to the police.
The responding police found A, whose appearance matched the photo provided by the owner, during a search operation. After chasing A for about 300 meters as he dangerously fled across an eight-lane road, the police arrested him. Through A, the police successfully apprehended the other accomplices one by one.
Police investigation revealed that they had thoroughly planned the crime in advance, including purchasing the hammer used in the crime the day before. It is known that they stated during the police investigation, "We did it because we needed money." All three are students from the Daejeon area and were confirmed not to be out-of-school youth.
A police official warned, "Even if they are minors, in cases of violent crimes, they will be punished according to the law and will definitely be caught, so do not imitate this under any circumstances."
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