OSAKA -- Two men have been arrested for allegedly stealing a delivery van loaded with 172 Rolex watches worth 282.45 million yen (about $1.89 million) in total, Osaka Prefectural Police revealed on Oct. 15.

The police arrested Shinya Onishi, 52, a member of a group affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi designated criminal syndicate, and Toshio Yoshikawa, 55, on suspicion of theft. The police have not disclosed whether the suspects have admitted to the allegations.

They are accused of conspiring with at least one other individual to steal the light van carrying the 172 luxury watches that was parked on a street in Osaka's Chuo Ward for delivery on the morning of May 21.

According to the prefectural police's third investigation division, the suspects are believed to have stolen the van in about three minutes while the driver stopped to deliver a package. The van was on its way to deliver wristwatches to authorized Rolex distributors, and was unlocked with the key still in the ignition when it was stolen.

The vehicle was found on a street in the city's Naniwa Ward that evening, but the watches were not inside. Some of the merchandise has already been resold. The involvement of Onishi and Yoshikawa emerged from security camera footage. The prefectural police believe that there are other individuals involved.

(Mainichi)