Man Arrested for Selling Stolen Bridge Nameplates

Aug 07, 2026 | News On Japan

NAGOYA - A 63-year-old man from Shizuoka Prefecture has been arrested on suspicion of selling 10 stolen metal plaques, including nameplates bearing the names of bridges, to a scrap metal dealer in Ichinomiya, Aichi Prefecture.

Police arrested unemployed Eiji Maiguma, 63, on suspicion of facilitating the disposal of stolen property.

Investigators allege that Maiguma sold the 10 items to the metal purchasing business in May 2026 despite knowing they had been stolen.

Police believe an unidentified person asked Maiguma to sell the plaques. He has denied the allegation, telling investigators, "There is no doubt that I sold the nameplates and other items, but I did not know they had been stolen."

Authorities have not determined where the bridge nameplates were stolen. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at more than 380,000 yen.

Police are investigating how Maiguma obtained the plaques and the circumstances surrounding their sale.

Source: Nagoya TV News

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