Real-life version of -Shoplifters- Don Quixote steals hundreds of products

A family of three in Japan has been arrested for stealing several items worth approximately 50,000 yen (around $334) from a Don Quijote store in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The suspects include a 36-year-old salaryman, his 54-year-old wife, and a 67-year-old male relative, presenting a real-life scenario reminiscent of the movie “Shoplifters.”

According to reports from Japanese media outlet “Gendai Business,” the trio entered the store with their own shopping baskets instead of using the ones provided by the store. This raised suspicions, as the store had previously encountered cases of theft where customers left without paying. Store staff were already on high alert when the trio walked in.

Surveillance footage revealed that, after selecting numerous items—including instant ramen and various meat products—they bypassed the checkout counters and headed straight to the parking lot. An employee notified the authorities, leading to their arrest. Staff indicated that the suspects appeared physically fit, and their baskets were filled with a substantial amount of instant ramen, meats, and alcoholic beverages.

Local residents noted that the couple had married about one to two years ago and had taken in the husband’s uncle, who had been abandoned by his parents during his childhood, leading to their unconventional living arrangement. The 36-year-old husband works in the logistics industry and has been seen as the primary financial provider for the household. Typically quiet and serious, he hasn’t displayed any signs of significant financial strain.

Interestingly, this man has never indicated any money troubles, having recently purchased a used apartment, and his spending habits do not suggest financial hardship. Furthermore, both his wife and the uncle have been involved in side jobs to supplement their income, raising questions about why they turned to theft. The circumstances surrounding their decision remain unclear.