A high school teacher in Japan has been accused of acting as a criminal mentor to his students, allegedly advising them what to steal and how to sell the stolen goods.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested 26-year-old Ryosuke Kimura on suspicion of trespassing and attempted theft after he allegedly broke into a home with two male students from the school where he taught.
According to Tokyo Reporter, Kimura allegedly told the teenagers to target Buddhist altar bells because he believed they could be made from pure gold and fetch a high price.
He is also accused of teaching the students how to sell stolen items through flea market apps. FNN reports that Kimura had previously advised them on listing stolen rings and gold teeth online.
Teacher claims burglary was like a “test of courage”
Kimura allegedly joined the two students as they entered the Tokyo home of a man in his 70s at around 8pm on February 2.
The group reportedly climbed through an unlocked window after assuming the property was empty. However, freshly purchased vegetables and noises from inside led them to realize that someone was home.
They fled without taking anything.
Police began investigating after a series of burglaries in the neighborhood between January and February. One of the students reportedly turned himself in during April, leading investigators to Kimura.
Unsplash.com: logan weaverAuthorities subsequently arrested six students on suspicion of theft-related offenses, with four reportedly receiving probation.
Kimura has partially denied the allegations. “I entered a garage-like structure where farm equipment was kept, but I have no memory of entering the residence through the window,” he reportedly told investigators.
He also claimed he knew the students had been entering abandoned buildings and stealing items but followed them “out of curiosity, like a test of courage.”
The arrest comes amid several unusual cases involving educators. In 2025, a teaching assistant was arrested over a viral “poop spray” prank that reportedly caused $55,000 in damages.
Schools have also faced scrutiny over their treatment of students, including controversial UK rules that saw children placed in isolation for clapping and uniform violations.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
