なぜ？　GWに空き巣急増　新手口も　狙われた「高級ブランド店」【スーパーJチャンネル】(2026年5月4日)

During Golden Week, when burglaries surge, half of the incidents occurred even when the doors were locked. Why is this happening? Furthermore, there are "new methods" involving crabs and stag beetles. ■Why were "high-end brand stores" targeted? Figures emerged one after another from behind the shelves. At least four individuals, their faces concealed by hoods and masks, stole clothes and shoes. The crime took only about three minutes… M's Shop Owner "The theft occurred between 4:18 and 4:21 AM on May 1st. Apparel, accessories, hats, shoes, and even the store's bags were all stolen. They broke down the door and wall to get in." The victim was a high-end brand store in Fukui City. M's Shop Owner "Approximately 180 items were stolen, with a total loss of about 60 million yen. About 90% was taken. Currently, there's nothing to sell. We've temporarily closed the store." Furthermore, in Fukui City, there was another incident the day before… A suspicious figure emerged from a car parked in the parking lot of a brand-name shop. At least three people entered the store and smashed glass display cases with a crowbar-like object. They stole approximately 100 items, including necklaces and rings, worth 60 million yen. The total loss over two days amounted to 120 million yen. ■Why? Burglaries surge during Golden Week Stores aren't the only targets during Golden Week. Former Metropolitan Police Department detective Yoshikawa says… Former Metropolitan Police Department Detective, Yuji Yoshikawa "(During Golden Week) the risk of ordinary households becoming victims is extremely high. Many people keep money they'll use during Golden Week on hand, and many also keep money withdrawn from the bank stored at home." ■Why burglaries occur even with locks? A woman from Chiba Prefecture, who was a victim three days ago, says… Victim "I don't know if it was a burglary or a robbery, but it was really scary. I was worried about what would happen if they were still inside." As she went downstairs to leave for her part-time job… Victim: "All the cupboards on the first floor were open, and I thought that was strange, so I checked the windows. The lock area had been neatly broken." The break created a gap just big enough for a hand to fit through. It appears someone used that gap to unlock the door and gain entry. Victim: "Apparently, there were five burglaries in the same city that day alone. There are a lot during Golden Week, according to the police." Of the approximately 11,000 burglaries reported annually, half occur when the doors are locked. In Aichi Prefecture, two men dressed in black approached the front door with crowbars. They forced the door open in just 40 seconds and stole a luxury bag. Furthermore, this year, a man with a vacation home in Chiba Prefecture was also targeted… Burglary victim: "The shutters had been forcibly removed, the glass door was broken, and the lock was unlocked. Someone had entered." They removed the shutters at the back of the house, broke the windowpane, and gained entry. What was stolen was… Victim of a Burglary "All the faucets in the bathroom were removed and stolen, and the faucets in the kitchen were also removed and stolen. The entire outdoor water heater was gone. The stolen and damaged items (including repair costs) amounted to about 300,000 to 400,000 yen." It appears the motive was to sell the metal for cash. Former Metropolitan Police Department Detective, Yuji Yoshikawa "Whether the doors are unlocked or locked, it doesn't matter; the burglaries occur regardless. The crimes are often planned based on the flow of money." ■Why? Beware of Crabs at the Entrance And now, a new method has been confirmed that requires even more vigilance. Crime Prevention Advisor, Mika Kyoshi "For example, placing live crabs or stag beetles in front of the entrance or gate." This act may seem like a prank, but it's actually a trap to let burglars know the house is empty. During Golden Week, when people tend to leave their homes for extended periods due to returning home or traveling, crime prevention advisor Kyoshi warns that people need to be careful of this new method used by burglars. Crime Prevention Advisor Mika Kyoshi "They place live crabs and stag beetles in front of the entrance or gate, waiting for residents to find them and post about it on social media, saying, 'Look, a crab here!'" The modus operandi is as follows: First, they place crabs or other insects in front of the target house's entrance to surprise the residents. The residents, thinking "this might go viral," take pictures and post them on social media. This is the burglar's target. The burglar searches for the post. Using clues such as the crab or background, they identify the account and continuously monitor it. They wait for the residents to be away on vacation or for other reasons before committing the crime. Crime Prevention Advisor Mika Kyoshi "Don't post about unusual things you find on social m...