Colombian Man, 55, Arrested on Return to Japan Two Months After Alleged ¥39 Million Jewelry Theft at Tokyo Big Sight
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.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Tokyo Wangan Station announced on September 14, 2026 that they had arrested Gutierrez Torres Ernesto, 55, a Colombian national, on suspicion of theft. According to the Sankei Shimbun and other outlets, he is accused of stealing 137 pieces of jewelry, including gems and rings worth a combined estimated 39 million yen, from the booth of a Kobe-based jeweler at a jewelry trade show held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Koto Ward, Tokyo, on the afternoon of July 5, 2026.
The theft occurred just after the show's final day ended, while the venue was being cleared out. The suspect is believed to have entered posing as a regular visitor, slipped into the exhibitor's booth, and stolen a carrying case containing the jewelry. He left Japan on July 12 but was apprehended by investigators on September 14 upon arriving at Narita Airport from Colombia. He has denied the allegations under questioning, saying, "I didn't steal anything and have no memory of this."
Current status: The whereabouts of the stolen items and whether the case will be referred for prosecution 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.