SAITAMA (Kyodo) A 36-year-old truck driver suspected of involvement in hundreds of burglaries in Gunma and Saitama prefectures between 2004 and 2010 was likely wearing Hello Kitty sandals during the crimes, just like when he was arrested, according to Saitama police.
Masakazu Kanda, now on trial at the Saitama District Court for theft and other charges, was wearing pink sandals bearing the famous feline character when he was walking on a street in Saitama Prefecture last June, catching the eye of police officers after footprints collected from burglarized residences showed that the perpetrator had worn Hello Kitty sandals.
The officers questioned him on the spot and arrested him after finding he was in possession of a screwdriver believed to be used for breaking into houses.
According to the Saitama Prefectural Police, Kanda was allegedly involved in 452 burglary cases involving a total of ¥55.5 million.