Two Arrested, Including 22-Year-Old Vietnamese Man, for Breaking Into Premium Melon Greenhouse in Shizuoka
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.
Following a string of thefts targeting the premium "Aroma Melon" brand in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture between August and September 2026, officers from Kikugawa Police Station who were staking out the area caught two men breaking into a cultivation greenhouse late on the night of September 19, 2026, and arrested them on the spot on suspicion of trespassing on a structure. According to the Shizuoka Shimbun's At-S and other outlets, those arrested were a 19-year-old painter and his 22-year-old Vietnamese national coworker, both residents of the city who worked at the same job site.
Around 11 p.m. that day, officers observed the two men entering the greenhouse and apprehended the teenager on the spot; the Vietnamese man briefly fled but was caught after a pursuit on the morning of the 20th. Under questioning, the Vietnamese man reportedly admitted to the allegation, stating he "went in intending to steal melons," while the teenager's response has not been disclosed. More than 50 premium melons, including the "Aroma Melon" brand, had been stolen in the surrounding area since August.
Current status: Police are continuing to investigate on suspicion the two men may be linked to other related thefts. The total damages and details of any additional offenses remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Elsewhere in Shizuoka Prefecture, a Vietnamese woman was arrested in July 2026 for fraudulent use of debit card information. Related article
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.