"After a 700km Pursuit"... Man in His 60s Arrested in Busan After 33 Thefts Nationwide

[Financial News] A habitual thief in his 60s, who traveled throughout the country and broke into more than 30 businesses over four months, was apprehended after a ten-day police pursuit. The suspect evaded capture by frequently changing his route and not carrying a mobile phone, but police managed to narrow the gap by tracking him through bus terminals and his travel routes nationwide, ultimately arresting him.
Seoul Songpa Police Station announced on the 2nd that Mr. A, a man in his 60s, was arrested and detained on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Theft) and was transferred to the prosecution on the 28th of last month.
According to the police, from August 3 to the 17th of last month, Mr. A is suspected of breaking into closed restaurants, cafes, and other establishments 33 times in 14 cities across Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Yeongnam, Honam, Chungcheong, and Gangwon State, stealing approximately 14.2 million won in cash from counters in the jurisdictions of 22 police stations.
The investigation began on the night of the 9th of last month, when Mr. A stole 600,000 won from the counter of a restaurant in Songpa-gu and fled. Seoul Songpa Police Station identified that Mr. A repeatedly chose detour routes and did not carry a mobile phone to hinder tracking, prompting a long-term pursuit.
Mr. A was found to have committed additional thefts while traveling between cities such as Seoul, Daejeon, Yangsan, Suncheon, and Busan to cover living expenses. Police analyzed footage from over 800 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at bus terminals and along travel routes nationwide. After tracking him for ten days and covering a total of 700 kilometers, they discovered Mr. A on a street in downtown Busan and made an emergency arrest.
During questioning, Mr. A admitted to committing the crimes across the country, and most of the stolen money was used for living and transportation expenses. Police have confirmed 33 cases in 23 regions so far and are expanding the investigation, not ruling out the possibility of additional offenses.
A police official stated, "We will respond swiftly and strictly to crimes affecting people's livelihoods," and urged, "Businesses should be especially vigilant, as inadequate locks on entrances and windows can make them targets for crime."
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter