An elderly trio in Japan, with a combined age of 227, has gained internet fame after police, investigating their alleged criminal activities, gave them the code name “G3S,” which sounds like “grandpas” in Japanese.
Hideo Umino (88), Hidemi Matsuda (70), and Kenichi Watanabe (69)reportedly met while in prison and planned burglaries upon their release.They reportedly broke into an unoccupied house in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in May, stealing 200 yen (US$1.30) and three bottles of whisky valued at 10,000 yen (US$65). In June, they were accused of robbing another house in the same area, taking 24 pieces of jewelry worth one million yen (US$6,400), repoted The South China Morning Post.
Authorities claim Umino, the eldest, orchestrated the thefts, Matsuda served as the getaway driver, and Watanabe handled the stolen goods. Their crimes came to light after the owner of the second house became suspicious and notified the police. Subsequent investigation through surveillance footage and tracking resold items led to their identification and arrest. Reports indicate the men needed physical support from police officers during their arrest. The trio allegedly confessed that they committed the crimes to “make a living.”
Police are also probing whether the gang is connected to ten other burglaries in Sapporo and the nearby city of Ebetsu. News of their arrest ignited a vigorous discussion on social media.
“They put the youngest one in charge of the easiest job,” one person remarked. “The code name ‘G3S’ might not be appropriate but sounds very cool,” said another.
Japanese police have noted a rise in crime among the elderly in recent years. The proportion of offenses committed by individuals over 65 increased from 2.1% in 1989 to 22% in 2019. There is also a reported increase in petty theft within this age group, along with more repeat offenders over the past three decades. Experts suggest loneliness and poverty as primary factors behind this trend.
Japan is grappling with an aging population issue. Official data from last year indicated that 29.1% of its 125 million citizens are over 65 years old, with one in ten people aged 80 or older.
Hideo Umino (88), Hidemi Matsuda (70), and Kenichi Watanabe (69)reportedly met while in prison and planned burglaries upon their release.They reportedly broke into an unoccupied house in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in May, stealing 200 yen (US$1.30) and three bottles of whisky valued at 10,000 yen (US$65). In June, they were accused of robbing another house in the same area, taking 24 pieces of jewelry worth one million yen (US$6,400), repoted The South China Morning Post.
Authorities claim Umino, the eldest, orchestrated the thefts, Matsuda served as the getaway driver, and Watanabe handled the stolen goods. Their crimes came to light after the owner of the second house became suspicious and notified the police. Subsequent investigation through surveillance footage and tracking resold items led to their identification and arrest. Reports indicate the men needed physical support from police officers during their arrest. The trio allegedly confessed that they committed the crimes to “make a living.”
Police are also probing whether the gang is connected to ten other burglaries in Sapporo and the nearby city of Ebetsu. News of their arrest ignited a vigorous discussion on social media.
“They put the youngest one in charge of the easiest job,” one person remarked. “The code name ‘G3S’ might not be appropriate but sounds very cool,” said another.
Japanese police have noted a rise in crime among the elderly in recent years. The proportion of offenses committed by individuals over 65 increased from 2.1% in 1989 to 22% in 2019. There is also a reported increase in petty theft within this age group, along with more repeat offenders over the past three decades. Experts suggest loneliness and poverty as primary factors behind this trend.
Japan is grappling with an aging population issue. Official data from last year indicated that 29.1% of its 125 million citizens are over 65 years old, with one in ten people aged 80 or older.
