Chinese National Arrested for Deadly Osaka Jewelry Store Robbery

A police officer stands guard outside an office building in Osaka on Dec. 17, 2021. (Buddhika Weerasinghe/AFP via Getty Images)

A 27-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for robbery and the murder of a jewelry store clerk in Osaka, Japan, on Aug. 7.

The crime occurred in the bustling Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, located in the Chuo district.

At approximately 1:30 PM local time, the suspect entered a jewelry store and requested to see a Patek Philippe watch valued at 62.8 million yen ($428,800), according to police reports.

He then threatened a female clerk with a knife, seized the watch, and attempted to escape. A male clerk who confronted him at the exit was fatally stabbed in the abdomen by the suspect.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described the suspect’s escape attempt.

“The man rushed past me, and as I glanced into the store, I saw a clerk collapsing while clutching his left side,” one witness told TW News.

Another noted the suspect’s appearance, describing him as “tall, around 1.8 meters (5’11”), and bald.”

Osaka police swiftly responded, capturing the suspect at Kansai International Airport at around 4 p.m. He was found in possession of the stolen watch and was charged with robbery and attempted murder, which was later escalated to robbery-homicide after the injured clerk succumbed to his injuries.

Further investigations led to the discovery of a bloody knife in a nearby vacant lot and bloody tissues discarded in a restroom at Nankai Namba Station.

The suspect apparently discarded his bald wig and changed his clothing as he fled to the airport.

Osaka police are continuing their investigation and have not released further details about the suspect beyond his age and nationality.

The Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, a popular destination for foreign tourists, spans approximately 600 meters and hosts about 140 shops ranging from clothing boutiques to brand-name outlets. The incident has shocked the local community and visitors alike.