Three Turkish Nationals Arrested Over Attempted Break-In at Vacant House; Suspected Members of Theft Ring Tied to Over 100 Cases Across Kinki and Hokuriku
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
Kyoto Prefectural Police's Nishikyoto Station and other units announced on July 29, 2026 that they had arrested three Turkish nationals in their 20s, identified as Azat Taran, 23, Abidin Roras, 25, and Rohat Taran, 24, on suspicion of trespassing. According to reports by the Kyoto Shimbun and other outlets, they are accused of attempting to break into a vacant house near the home of a 77-year-old university professor in Kyoto's Kamigyo Ward between around 7 and 8 p.m. on January 23 of that year, with intent to steal valuables.
The vacant house's security system detected the intrusion and triggered an alarm, causing the three to flee without taking anything, though a window was broken and the owner filed a report. The three are believed to belong to a Turkish theft ring operating across the Kinki and Hokuriku regions, which has been linked to more than 100 confirmed cases of theft.
Current status: Whether the three admit to the allegations and the status of the broader crackdown on the ring remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.