A 50-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison after he lost money gambling at South Korea’s Kangwon Land casino and robbed a nearby pawnshop.
According to local media outlet Dong-A Ilbo, the incident in question took place on 27 December 2021 after the man placed a gas gun inside the shop owner’s mouth and threatened to kill her. He then tried to steal money and jewelry but fled when the victim’s husband entered the store. He was located by police two hours later hiding in a motel.
When questioned by police following his arrest, the man is reported to have said, “I lost all of my money while gambling at Kangwon Land casino and committed a crime to save money to gamble.”
He was also found to have stolen the gas gun and KRW30,000 worth of gas from a nearby car wash, plus 10 department store gift cards from a car.
In sentencing the man, the court said, “The accused has a very bad quality of crime, such as putting a gas gun in the victim’s mouth and threatening to get money for gambling, and wielding violence to suppress the victim’s rebellion. Considering … the attitude [he has shown] in this court, it does not appear that he is seriously reflecting.”
The man was sentenced on charges of with robbery, [causing] injury, fraud and theft.
