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.
“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.”
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.
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.