CHIBA –
A uncommon pink Coca-Cola bench was stolen from exterior a prepared-food store in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, within the early hours of October twenty fourth, with the proprietor suspecting the thieves meant to resell the collectible merchandise to lovers after related benches had been discovered listed on-line for as a lot as 180,000 yen.
The theft got here to gentle when the store, Hamaage, posted pictures on social media displaying a big tear in a clear plastic sheet masking the storefront.
Shigeru Yoshida, the store’s proprietor, stated he found the bench was lacking when he opened for enterprise. “When I opened the shutter, the bench was gone. I was shocked, but more than anything, I just cannot understand what would make someone steal a bench,” Yoshida stated.
Security digicam footage believed to point out the theft captures a light-colored van stopping exterior the store with its hazard lights flashing shortly earlier than daybreak on October twenty fourth.
After a short while, an individual believed to have emerged from the automobile opens its rear cargo door and walks towards the store. More than a minute later, the suspected thief returns, closes the automobile’s rear door and drives away.
According to Yoshida, the intruder used a pointy object to chop by means of the plastic sheet masking the storefront, creating a gap massive sufficient for one particular person to enter earlier than eradicating the Coca-Cola bench.
“They cut through this section with a blade, making a hole just big enough for one person to get through,” Yoshida defined.
The distinctive pink bench had stood exterior the store for about 10 years after Yoshida obtained it from an acquaintance. It was notably fashionable amongst aged clients, who used it to relaxation whereas buying.
Although the bench had served a sensible function for native residents, its worth as a collectible might have made it a horny goal.
Yoshida stated he had seen related Coca-Cola benches marketed on-line for between 60,000 and 70,000 yen and believes the thief might have meant to promote the stolen merchandise to collectors.
Listings on on-line flea market platforms confirmed that some Coca-Cola benches had been being provided for as a lot as 180,000 yen, highlighting the potential resale worth of classic promoting furnishings.
Yoshida stated he has filed a theft report with police.
Source: FNN