Teens nabbed for e-cigarette 'robbery spree'

/ Yonhap

Three middle school students have been arrested for stealing electronic cigarettes from stores in Seoul, police said Tuesday.

They allegedly decided to rob the stores after hearing that e-cigarettes have become more popular following the country’s recent tobacco price hike.

They stole some 10 e-cigarettes and e-liquid worth about two million won on Jan. 26 near Gwanak-gu, southern Seoul.

To do so, they allegedly broke store windows with golf clubs, even with bystanders looking on.

A few days later, residents heard window breaking and reported the noise to the police. The teenagers were caught by police as they were leaving a store with more e-cigarettes.

Police said the teenagers sold the stolen goods on online forums or to acquaintances.

“It is illegal to buy or sell cigarettes online without permission,” a police official said. “We are tracking down those who bought the cigarettes as well.”

The nation increased the tobacco price from the average 2,500 won ($2.20) to 4,500 won per pack on Jan. 1 in a bid to curb the notoriously high smoking rate.