Japanese otaku retail giant Mandarake is not happy about a recent shoplifting incident, and they don’t intend to let the perpetrator get away with it. The culprit in question allegedly pilfered a replica Tetsujin-28-go wind-up robot toy worth 250,000 yen (about US$2,448).

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But, they’re giving the supposed thief a chance to redeem himself, by returning the item. If he doesn’t, the store is prepared to post a photograph revealing his identity. Their website already has a mosaiced photo of the man taken from security camera footage, captured at the time of the theft; they are giving him until August 12 to fess up.

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While shoplifting is obviously a crime, netizens have mixed reactions about Mandarake’s actions. Some think the one week timeline is too lenient, while others think the store is going overboard. Although a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department said that the case is being investigated, she declined to comment on the legality of Mandarake‘s threat to expose the shoplifter’s identity.

The incident occurred on the fourth floor of the Mandarake Nakano store around 5PM JST on August 4.

What do you think? Is Mandarake out of line, or are their actions completely fair? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

Source: The Japan Times

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