Overview
- Police say a 41-year-old man entered Hiratsuka Police Station and poured a clear, chemical-like liquid onto the reception counter, then was arrested on suspicion of trespassing on Thursday, May 21.
- Six on-duty officers reported eye and throat pain after smelling the liquid or having small amounts on their clothing and were taken to hospital with light injuries before being released.
- Authorities have kept the suspect, identified as Ishibashi Mitsuaki, in custody and say he has remained silent since his arrest.
- Kanagawa Prefectural Police are conducting forensic analysis to identify the liquid and have not confirmed media reports that hydrogen sulfide was generated.
- Police say they are investigating possible obstruction of official duties in addition to trespassing and are reviewing station access procedures after the incident exposed a front-counter security vulnerability.