A Sri Lankan National, Dinesh Rajapaksha, a 38-year-old and owner of a dismantling business in Ibaraki Prefecture was arrested for storing a car while knowing it was stolen.
Rajapaksha is accused of accepting a stolen car worth approximately ¥2 million at a yard in Yūki City in February last year and storing it on the premises of his company despite being aware it was stolen property.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Rajapaksha allegedly received about 60 stolen vehicles from a person believed to have carried out the thefts. Some of the cars were reportedly dismantled and sent overseas, including to the United Arab Emirates.
During questioning, Rajapaksha denied the allegations, stating:
“It is true that the car was there, but I did not know it was stolen.”
