Tokyo woman arrested over Yokohama robbery-murder

Kanagawa Prefectural Police have arrested a 30-year-old woman from Tokyo’s Adachi Ward in connection with a robbery and murder of a 75-year-old Yokohama resident that took place last month.
Miho Kimoto, who is suspected of acting as a “collector” of stolen goods, denied direct involvement in the robbery. She reportedly said, “I didn’t commit the robbery myself. I only collected money gained through the crime.”
Kimoto is the second suspect arrested in connection with the case.
During questioning, she allegedly told police she picked up cash at a park in Tokyo on instructions received via an encrypted messaging app. Police are working to identify the individual who directed her.
Police allege that Kimoto and others conspired to assault Hiroharu Goto on or around Oct. 15, then killed him and stole approximately ¥200,000 in cash and jewelry.
He was discovered on the morning of Oct. 16 in his home’s linen room, with his face, hands and feet bound with adhesive tape. His death was attributed to blood loss from multiple blunt force injuries. He had bruises concentrated on his upper body that suggested he was repeatedly struck with a blunt object.
Investigators believe three individuals were directly involved in the attack. Two weeks ago, police arrested 22-year-old Mazuki Takarada on suspicion of him being involved with the Yokohama attack.
Two others — Shu Fujii, 26, and Rikuto Kubota, 21 — are also under investigation for possible links to the Yokohama incident after being detained in connection with a separate case of robbery and assault that occurred in the city of Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, last month.
Police suspect one of the three suspects handed the stolen goods to Kimoto.