Suspect in gun theft case says planned to rob post office

BUSAN, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- The man suspected of stealing a pistol from a shooting range here in the southern port city of Busan has said he had planned to rob a post office for money to open up a restaurant, police officials said Sunday.

What seemed like a confession came one day after the suspect, a 29-year-old identified only by his surname Hong, was arrested on suspicions of stabbing a female owner of the shooting range and walking away with a pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition.

Hong earlier claimed he had stolen the gun to kill himself.

According to the police officials, the suspect needed some 30 million won (US$25,359) to jointly invest in a restaurant.

They said the suspect has also admitted to planning to rob a post office that same day, which often offer banking services, but that he was unaware post offices were closed on Saturdays.

Crimes involving guns are extremely rare in South Korea as guns, including pistols and hunting rifles, are strictly controlled here.

Only licensed hunters are allowed to own hunting rifles, and still not at their own homes but at police stations.
(END)