By Oh Young-jin
Staff Reporter

A car thief was arrested Monday after stealing car stereos and personal valuables from 22 cars in Ulsan.

According to the Ulju Police Station in Ulsan, a southeastern industrial town, it took only 3 to 5 seconds for the thief, identified as a 39-year-old Om, to unlock the cars.

He allegedly stole valuables worth about 11 million won over four months starting in September.

Om targeted cars parked near restaurants and entertainment spots along coastal areas, police said.

He used a screwdriver to unlock the cars and stole onboard navigation systems and car stereos as well as purses and handbags left inside.

"I couldn't make ends meet from income I made driving a freight truck," he was quoted as saying about what caused him to start stealing again.

He also said the cars' alarms rarely worked.

foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr