Elementary school students rob PC bang, mock CCTV — then turn themselves in

Elementary school students who repeatedly stole cash from a PC bang in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, and mocked staff have been caught by police.

The Samcheok Police Station in Gangwon Province said Thursday it had apprehended three elementary school students, all in their early teens, on charges including aggravated theft and was questioning them.

The students are accused of breaking into the cash box at a PC bang in Samcheok on four separate occasions between June 19 and June 25, stealing a total of 80,000 won ($51).

Closed-circuit television footage captured one student opening the counter's cash box and removing money while another kept watch nearby and a third received the stolen cash. The owner's father was present near the counter at the time, but the students reportedly carried out the thefts without any apparent concern.

According to the store owner, the students mocked the establishment after each theft — bowing toward the CCTV cameras and flashing thumbs-up signs as they walked out.

After the owner confirmed the losses and posted CCTV images in the store, the students returned the next day — not to apologize, but to demand to know why their photos had been put up.

After the case drew public attention following media coverage, the students turned themselves in to police accompanied by their parents, admitted to the thefts and asked for forgiveness.

During questioning, they told police they had acted out of curiosity.

However, all three are juveniles under criminal age — aged 10 or older but under 14 — and are not subject to criminal punishment.

Police plan to refer the case to the juvenile division of the Chuncheon District Court after completing their investigation into the full circumstances of the incident.