TOCHIGI, Jun 05, 2026 –
A 16-year-old boy accused of finishing up a lethal dwelling invasion in Tochigi Prefecture has been re-arrested on suspicion of tried robbery-murder involving the 2 sons of a 69-year-old lady who was killed in the course of the assault, police stated.
The case facilities on the killing of Eiko Tomiyama, 69, who was discovered stabbed greater than 20 instances at her dwelling in Kaminokawa, Tochigi Prefecture, final month.
Police have already arrested 4 16-year-old boys believed to have carried out the assault, together with Kaito Takemae, 28, and his spouse Miyu, 25, who’re suspected of directing the group. An 18-year-old highschool scholar alleged to have acted as a recruiter has additionally been arrested.
Investigators on Thursday re-arrested a 16-year-old highschool scholar from Sagamihara, who was the primary suspect taken into custody within the case, on suspicion of tried robbery-murder.
In line with police, {the teenager} allegedly conspired with the three different juvenile suspects and the Takemae couple earlier than breaking into Tomiyama’s dwelling. Whereas looking out the residence, the group reportedly encountered Tomiyama’s two sons—a person in his 40s and one other in his 30s—and attacked them with a crowbar in an try and kill them.
Police imagine the victims arrived on the home after Tomiyama’s husband, who was at dwelling in the course of the incident, contacted the youthful son, who had been working in close by fields. The youthful son then went to the residence collectively along with his older brother, the place they unexpectedly got here face-to-face with the intruders.
The older son suffered severe accidents, together with a fractured proper arm, whereas the youthful son sustained extreme head accidents, together with a cerebral contusion and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Throughout questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted the allegations, telling investigators, “There isn’t any mistake that I hit them with a crowbar.”
{The teenager} was initially detained shortly after the crime when police stopped and questioned him close to the scene. Officers grew to become suspicious after he was seen strolling whereas protecting his face along with his fingers. Throughout questioning, he reportedly made statements indicating he had been concerned in a theft, resulting in his arrest.
Police plan to re-arrest the opposite three juvenile suspects and the Takemae couple on related fees.
Authorities are additionally looking for Kazuhiko Masuda, 48, who’s believed to have orchestrated the crime and fled abroad. A nationwide wished discover has been issued, and Japanese investigators are working with overseas legislation enforcement businesses to trace his whereabouts.
