Serial Shoplifter Caught in Seoul After Stealing from Unmanned Stores by Faking Barcode Scans

Seoul police have arrested a serial shoplifter who repeatedly targeted unmanned stores by feigning barcode scans to steal merchandise. The suspect is accused of carrying out 18 thefts over approximately one month, exploiting the self-service checkout system.

According to footage released by the National Police Agency's YouTube channel, the individual visited an unmanned store in Guro-gu, Seoul, in April. After selecting numerous items, the suspect proceeded to the checkout counter. Instead of completing the payment, the suspect mimicked the action of scanning barcodes on a kiosk before leaving the store with the unpaid goods.

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The suspect pretended to scan the barcode but did not actually make a payment and left the store with the goods.

This modus operandi was not a one-off incident. The suspect frequented stores at a rate of nearly every two days, accumulating 18 instances of theft within a single month. Following multiple reports of these repeated thefts, the police initiated an investigation. They analyzed in-store CCTV footage to track the suspect's movements and eventually pinpointed their residence.

A crucial piece of evidence that aided the investigation was a pair of blue slippers the suspect consistently wore during each crime. Police observed that the suspect wore the same slippers for every theft. This consistent detail, combined with tracking the suspect's movements, allowed officers to identify and apprehend the individual just one day after the most recent reported theft.

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The suspect wore the same blue slippers every time they committed the crime. Police discovered this and, while tracking their movements, spotted the suspect wearing the same slippers and apprehended them.