STRATEGIC PARTNERS
January 20, 2003
OSAKA, Japan -- Police arrested a former security guard on Jan. 20 on suspicion that he set fire to an ATM cubicle in central Osaka last June, causing an explosion and seriously injuring himself.
(See related stories Japanese police think ATM blast caused by security employee and Explosion at ATM injures four in Japan)
Satoshi Ueno, 37, a resident of Osaka, was taken into custody for alleged arson. Police quoted him as saying he set the ATM on fire to cover up his theft of cash he was supposed to have delivered to the ATMs in the booth. Police are also pursuing a theft charge.
At the time of the blast, Ueno was working for the security firm Toyo Tec Co. Following the arrest, Toyo Tec released a statement expressing regret. According to his superiors, Ueno joined Toyo Tec about four years ago but quit in August.
They said they were mystified why Ueno committed such a crime, because he must have known that he would be suspected if the money disappeared.
According to police, the explosion occurred at around 6:45 p.m. June 18 in an area of Chuo Ward where Asahi Bank operates ATMs. The blast, believed to have been fueled by gasoline, took place 15 minutes before the ATMs were to close for the day.
Ueno, who was inside the ATM booth, suffered full-body burns. Three passersby were slightly burned.
Police determined that some 26.5 million yen (about $220,920 U.S.) that was supposed to have been delivered to the ATMs was missing. They later discovered about 24 million yen (about $201,889) in cash inside Ueno's car, which was parked in front of the booth.
They suspect that Ueno failed to deliver money he took from a safe at the security company on two occasions prior to the incident. A security videotape at the firm allegedly shows him acting suspiciously around the safe.
While investigators suspected Ueno early on, they did not arrest him because he was receiving treatment for his injuries. He is now using a wheelchair and undergoing rehabilitation.
