A waterproofing worker and his wife in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, have been arrested on suspicion of forcing their three children to shoplift fishing equipment.
The Osaka Prefectural Police said the couple allegedly handed fishing equipment worth around ¥17,000 to their 14-year-old son, 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter at a fishing goods shop in Suita on Oct. 25 and told them to leave the shop.
The couple reportedly told police that their children stole the products on their own, but the parents, aged 36 and 33, were arrested Feb. 3 based on security camera footage and email between them and the children.
The parents were also arrested in connection with another shoplifting case in the same shop in November. The older son was sent to a detention home, while the police put the two other children under protection and reported the case to a child consultation center.
The police are also investigating the father on suspicion of illegally receiving welfare benefits for around five years.