{
  "id": 18068009,
  "title": "Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/thief-mails-460-million-yen-watch-back-to-tokyo-store-he-stole-it",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-04T05:00:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/11/04/thief-mails-460-million-yen-watch-back-to-tokyo-store-he-stole-it-from-says-im-sorry/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A man stole a luxury watch from a watch store in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo on October 29. The watch, made by Swiss brand Audemars Piguet, is valued at 46 million yen (approximately US$290,000). According to the shop, the man approached a salesperson, asked to try a locked showcase watch, then fled with the watch still on his wrist. Despite lacking knowledge of watches, the thief knew how to return the item. On November 1, a box containing the same watch was delivered to the store, along with a handwritten letter of apology that said \"I'm sorry.\" The stolen watch showed no signs of damage during its time away from the store. While the thief remains at large, the return of the watch has sparked mixed reactions, with some arguing that it doesn't erase the original crime.",
  "summary": "Latest crook to hit Tokyo’s hottest theft target feels either remorse or fear, but probably shouldn’t expect forgiveness. In a city as big as Tokyo, different neighborhoods have different atmospheres, but those reputations can change over time. For example, Nakano is best known for its Nakano Broadway shopping center, which used to be thought of […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Thief stole 46 million yen Audemars Piguet watch from Tokyo store",
    "Box with watch and apology letter delivered to store on November 1",
    "Thief remains at large despite successful watch return"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The return of the undamaged luxury timepiece via mail offers the store its property back but fails to resolve the legal implications of the original theft.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}