Tokyo man steals a $292,000 watch and flees the store, then anonymously returns it 3 days later with an apology note
Sorry about stealing the watch.
When an item is stolen, the thief usually doesn’t return that item, much less with an apology note. One case in London ended with the thief being unsuccessful because the victim happened to be a triathlete. So, when a luxury watch stolen in Tokyo was returned with an apology note, it came as a surprise.
On Thursday, at a watch shop on the third floor of the Nakano Broadway complex in Tokyo, a man tried on an Audemars Piguet watch valued at $292,000. While trying it on, the man fled with it, effectively stealing it. The two employees present at that time were unharmed, according to The Japan Times.
The watch was returned three days later
On Sunday morning, a courier arrived and returned the watch to the store. Staff at the shop were able to confirm that it was the stolen watch by using the serial number. In addition to the watch, the package contained a handwritten letter of apology.
The details of the letter weren’t revealed, but the package was sent from Aichi Prefecture. While the letter included a name and address, police believe that they aren’t the real name and address of the thief. Although it wouldn’t be the first time that a thief made a decision that resulted in their capture, such as in this case involving the theft of Ulta reward points, in which the thief chose online order pickup, a method that requires real identifying information and an ID shown at pickup.
As for the watch thief, no further details about the investigation have been provided, or even whether the investigation is continuing now that the stolen watch has been returned. The condition of the watch when returned was also not stated.
The Nakano Broadway complex saw more thefts this past August
It seems that stealing luxury watches from the Nakano Broadway shopping complex has become a trend. Before the theft of the Audemars Piguet this past Thursday, four other luxury watches were stolen from the same shopping complex in August. These, however, weren’t returned, and two Chilean nationals were arrested on suspicion of theft.
The Japan Times doesn’t specify whether the four other watches were stolen from the same store or just the same complex. It also states that the Chilean nationals were indicted for the theft after being arrested on suspicion of theft.
It might be worth adding security to shops selling luxury watches in the Nakano Broadway complex if it continues to see similar thefts.
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