Overview

• The Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s 3rd Investigation Division arrested Yoshihara Yuta (41), Nakano Ryo (49) and Yamazaki Yuki (36) on July 25 on suspicion of theft and trespassing.
• Authorities allege the suspects executed synchronized early-morning break-ins on September 23, 2024, targeting an Akihabara card buyback shop and its Yushima office.
• Investigators say the raid yielded about 150,000 trading cards from the Yushima site and cash plus 283 cards from the Akihabara shop, with total losses nearing ¥70 million.
• All three defendants deny the charges, maintaining they have no recollection of the events.
• Police are intensifying efforts to trace resale networks through secondary markets and identify additional individuals connected to the theft ring.