Six Arrested in Shinjuku Attempted Robbery Case; Possible Link to Tochigi Murder-Robbery Under Investigation

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrested six individuals, including high school students, in connection with an attempted robbery at a luxury liquor purchasing store in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Among those arrested were five teenage boys — including two high school students — and Shinya Adachi, 20, who investigators believe helped prepare the tools used during the crime, including bear repellent spray.

The incident took place on the 7th of last month in the Hyakunincho district of Shinjuku. According to investigators, suspects disguised as delivery workers entered the office of a store dealing in high-end Japanese whisky and suddenly sprayed bear deterrent spray at employees. Some participants were also carrying trekking poles that could potentially be used as weapons.

Police believe at least seven individuals were involved in the operation, including direct perpetrators, a getaway driver waiting nearby, and others responsible for preparing equipment used in the crime.

Investigators say the scheme began after a 19-year-old suspect received an invitation through a mobile application to participate in robberies and later recruited classmates and acquaintances.

Authorities suspect the case may be connected to so-called “Tokuryu” groups — loosely organized and anonymous criminal networks that recruit participants online for violent crimes.

Police are also investigating similarities between this case and the robbery-murder that occurred in Kaminokawa Town, Tochigi Prefecture. In that case, Kaito Takemae, his wife Miyu Takemae, and four high school students were arrested.

According to investigative sources, one of the vehicles previously seen near the Tochigi crime scene matched the same model and color as a car identified near the Shinjuku incident. Authorities believe the vehicle’s license plates had been switched.

Another similarity is that all six suspects arrested in the Shinjuku case were residents of Tochigi Prefecture.

Adachi’s parents told reporters their son did not appear to be struggling financially. His father said Adachi worked helping at a ranch and was generally viewed as a responsible young man.

However, the family revealed that Adachi planned to leave his current job at the end of the month after allegedly receiving an offer to manage a new business related to nightlife and alcohol sales — despite having no prior experience. His father said the proposal seemed suspicious from the start.

Adachi’s mother publicly apologized and said she could not understand where her son had gone astray.

Police continue investigating possible links between the two Shinjuku incidents and the robbery-murder case in Tochigi, as well as the broader criminal organization potentially behind them.