Osaka prefectural police said on Nov. 6 they had arrested a 24-year-old man of no fixed address or occupation on suspicion of attempted murder and obstruction of official duties, after he allegedly drove his car at an officer who was trying to question him two years ago.
The man left Japan after the incident and had been staying in Cambodia. He was arrested on Nov. 6 aboard an aircraft bound for Japan.
He has not admitted or denied the allegations, telling investigators he will talk once his lawyer arrives, police said.
What police allege
According to the prefectural police's first investigation division, the man is suspected of trying to kill a male police inspector by driving his car toward him at around 4 a.m. on May 8, 2024, in a convenience store parking lot in Yamada 3-chome, Nishi Ward, Sakai.
He is also accused of damaging a police car and the store's wall by driving into them, and of obstructing officers in the performance of their duties.
The inspector ended up on the car's hood and was thrown to the ground, suffering bruises to his knees and elbows and other minor injuries.
Two years on the run
Police found and seized the car two days after the incident in a coin-operated parking lot in Kobe. They obtained an arrest warrant on May 18, 2024, and placed the man on the wanted list.
In September this year, the National Police Agency told the prefectural police that the man was being held by authorities in Cambodia over a separate case, according to the prefectural police.
He was deported by the local authorities, and officers arrested him aboard the aircraft on Nov. 6.