50: The 300 Million Yen Robbery | Red Thread
Red Thread
Deep Dive
WHY was the 1968 300 million yen robbery so unusual for Japan?
The heist was exceptional due to its scale and lack of violence, contrasting sharply with Japan's typically low crime rates and strong social order. The methods, involving disguises, decoys, and strategic car swaps, were also elaborate for the time.
What happened four days before the 300 million yen robbery?
The bank manager received a threatening letter demanding 3 million yen, threatening to bomb his house. Police staked out the drop-off point, but no one appeared. This incident foreshadowed the robbery's methods.
How did the thief manage to steal the 300 million yen?
Posing as a police officer, the thief stopped the bank transport vehicle, claiming the manager's house had been bombed and the car might be rigged with explosives. He then used a flare to create a diversion, allowing him to steal the car with the money while the employees fled.
WHY did the bank use a regular car to transport such a large sum of money?
Japan in the 1960s was considered very safe. The bank believed an armored car would draw unwanted attention. They had also successfully used regular cars for similar transports in the past.
What evidence did the thief leave behind at the initial crime scene?
The thief left a motorcycle, modified to resemble a police vehicle, along with flares and a hunting hat. Crucially, police officers contaminated the hat before it could be properly analyzed.
How many crime scenes were associated with the 300 million yen robbery?
Four crime scenes were identified: the robbery site, the location of the abandoned bank car, a location where a stolen Corolla and raincoat were found, and a parking lot where the empty money cases and more stolen vehicles were discovered months later.
WHY did police suspect multiple perpetrators?
The discovery of multiple stolen vehicles at the fourth crime scene, along with a pair of women's earrings and gambling items not belonging to the car's owner, suggested more than one person may have been involved.
What was the fate of the two main suspects, "Boy S" and "Suspect A"?
"Boy S" committed suicide shortly after police began investigating him. "Suspect A" was publicly identified by a newspaper, interrogated harshly, and later cleared due to an alibi. However, the damage to his reputation led to a difficult life, culminating in his suicide years later.
Was the 300 million yen ever recovered?
No, the money was never recovered, and there's no evidence it was ever spent. The bank notes' serial numbers were released, but none were ever reported.
What was the aftermath of the 300 million yen robbery investigation?
The investigation, costing more than the stolen amount, was deemed a major failure for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Several officers reportedly committed suicide due to the unsolved case. The robbery became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous books, films, and other media.
- The robbery involved 300 million yen (approximately $817,000 at the time or $6 million in 2023).
- The thief impersonated a police officer.
- The heist was non-violent, which is unusual for a crime of this magnitude.
- The case remains unsolved despite a large-scale investigation involving 170,000 officers and the questioning of over 110,000 suspects.
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