$100,000 of smartphones stolen: store manager arrested

A man surnamed Choi was arrested for allegedly stealing 120 million won ($100,000) of the latest smartphones, Seoul Guro Police Station said Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

A store manager has been arrested for allegedly stealing 120 million won ($100,000) of smartphones to fund his gambling addiction.

The man, surnamed Choi, 20, is suspected of stealing 135 phones from a store where he had worked since December, Seoul Guro police said Tuesday.

Police alleged he stole only the latest expensive models, such as the Galaxy S6 Edge and iPhone 6.

“I started online gambling out of curiosity, but became addicted after winning some money,” Yonhap News Agency quoted Choi as saying. “Even after losing all the money, I couldn’t stop gambling, thinking I will win someday.”

A police official said Choi received a monthly salary of some 2.5 million won as store manager.

The store owner, surnamed Kim, 34, made Choi the manager because he was diligent and hard working, police said.

Four others have been arrested for allegedly buying stolen goods.