OKAYAMA (Kyodo) A 29-year-old Ehime detective whose duties mainly involve investigating theft was arrested Thursday for allegedly snatching a woman's purse in the city of Okayama after two high school students collared him, police said Friday.
Sgt. Naofumi Nomura is suspected of snatching a purse that contained about ¥10,000 in cash from a 75-year-old woman around 7:50 p.m. Thursday, according to the Okayama Prefectural Police.
Nomura has been dealing with robbery and theft cases, including purse-snatching, for over three years at Matsuyama Minami Police Station, Ehime police said early Friday, adding that his family said he had about ¥2.5 million in loans.
The police said he had not shown up for work since Tuesday.
Nomura fled on foot after taking the purse, but two high school students heard the woman's cries and chased after Nomura by bicycle for some 250 meters before overpowering him, according to the Okayama police.
"I won't run away any more," Nomura was quoted as saying when the high school students seized him.
"A detective investigating theft cases has committed a crime like this. We deeply apologize to the victim and those concerned," said Kimiaki Hiraoka, chief inspector at the Ehime police.